11 Facts About Chester Ronning

Chester Ronning's family moved from China to the Peace River country of Alberta.

When Chester Ronning started his studies at the University of Alberta, he travelled by horse from Valhalla Centre to Edmonton along the Edson Trail.

Chester Ronning returned to China to serve as a missionary from 1922 to 1927 and then returned to Alberta where he took up a position as Principal of the Camrose Lutheran College, a position he held for 15 years.

Chester Ronning was a member of the United Farmers of Alberta and on October 25,1932, he was elected in a by-election for Camrose.

Chester Ronning was defeated in the 1935 provincial election that wiped out the UFA government.

Chester Ronning was leader of the Alberta CCF from 1940 to 1942.

Chester Ronning stepped aside as leader in favour of Elmer Roper, who won a 1942 by-election to become Alberta's first elected CCF MLA.

Chester Ronning ran unsuccessfully for the CCF in the 1945 federal election in the riding of Camrose, losing to the Social Credit candidate, James Alexander Marshall.

Chester Ronning served in diplomatic posts in China, Norway, India and the United Nations.

Chester Ronning participated in the international commissions on Korea and Laos and undertook special missions to Hanoi in attempts to mediate the Vietnam War.

Chester Ronning was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 1983.