In memoriam: Reinhart Weber
May 15, 2026
Georgian College honours the life and legacy of Reinhart Weber, Former Founder and President of Weber Manufacturing and Fellow of Georgian College, a visionary entrepreneur, community leader, and steadfast champion of education whose contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on the college and across the region.
A longtime friend and supporter of the college, Reinhart was the founder and president of Weber Manufacturing, building the company into a globally respected leader in manufacturing and innovation. Throughout his career, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to workforce development, technical excellence, and the belief that strong partnerships between industry and education are essential to regional prosperity.
His relationship with Georgian was both deep and transformative. Mr. Weber actively supported manufacturing and skilled‑trades programs through his participation on program advisory committees, his employment of Georgian students and graduates, and his generous sharing of expertise—helping to ensure students were prepared for meaningful careers in a rapidly evolving industry.
Together with the late Robbert Hartog, Reinhart co‑founded the Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI) in the Town of Midland and forged a strategic partnership between IRDI and the college. In 2004, this partnership transitioned to what is now known as the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus, a cornerstone of Georgian’s skilled‑trades education and applied learning ecosystem.
In 2004, in recognition of his exceptional contributions, Georgian’s Board of Governors awarded Reinhart an Honorary Diploma and, in 2011, bestowed upon him the prestigious Georgian College Fellowship.
Reinhart and his late wife, Alexandra, were familiar faces at Georgian and we’ll miss their visits to campus. Through the Weber Foundation, generous investments in learning spaces and students have transformed both the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus and the Sadlon Centre for Health, Wellness and Sciences. A hub of student collaboration and learning, The Weber Foundation Learning Commons in the Sadlon Centre represents one of the many legacies of Reinhart that will endure here at Georgian.
Reinhart will be forever remembered as a visionary, an individual who was remarkably generous to his community and championed a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives. His philanthropy and service, the programs he helped shape, and the campuses he supported stand as a lasting testament to his commitment to applied education and the advancement of the region.
The Georgian College flags at all Georgian campuses are lowered in his honour. Our thoughts are with the Weber family and all who knew and admired him.
