TORONTO — Peter Herrndorf, former president and CEO of the National Arts Center has died at the age of 82.
His son Matthew Herrndorf confirmed the news, saying his father died Saturday morning of cancer in a Toronto hospital. He was surrounded by his family.
Mr. Herrndorf led the National Arts Center in Ottawa from 1999 to 2018 after a long career in the media. He helped establish the National Arts Center Foundation and the NAC Aboriginal Theatre.
He had been recruited by the CBC in Winnipeg in 1965. He rose through the ranks to vice-president. He had contributed to the creation of series like “The Fifth Estate” and “The Journal”.
He was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in May 2017 for his contribution “to the vibrancy of our cultural landscape”.
“He lived a full and complete life. It’s hard to find the right words to describe what he meant to us and to Canada,” said Matthew Herrndorf on Saturday.
The National Arts Center has expressed sadness at the passing of its former leader.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Peter A. Herrndorf, one of Canada’s greatest arts builders and visionaries. Our thoughts to his family. Our flag will be at half mast all February to honor the memory of our former CEO,” he wrote on Twitter.