Tributes are pouring in for the founder of Barkman Concrete in Steinbach. Peter Barkman passed away Sunday at the age of 88. He founded Barkman Concrete in 1948 and grew it into the international company that it is today.

Provencher Conservative Member of Parliament Ted Falk says Barkman was a very special person.

"Probably one of the first things I think of when I think of Peter Barkman is I get the picture of an elder statesman, he had the stature, he had the presence, he had the demeanour. I remember him as a very good business leader, as a community leader. For myself, as a young businessman just starting out, Mr. Barkman was a huge source of encouragement. When he would see me he would always ask: How's business? How are your receivables? Are you able to collect the money and can you pay your bills? These were things that were important to him."

Falk adds he always admired Barkman's focus on innovation and his passion for pursuing new ideas and technologies to constantly improve his company. He also says Barkman's fingerprint is all over Steinbach through products made at his plant like paving stones, decorative garbage bins, benches and flower pots as well as the gazebo he developed at K.R. Barkman Park in honour of his father who was a former mayor. Furthermore, he says Barkman also gave a lot to charity and did so in a quiet, humble way.

Mayor Chris Goertzen also uses the term elder statesman in reflecting on Barkman's many contributions.

"He was a valued business leader. He was valued philanthropist. He was really a great contributor to the fabric of our city. Evidence is clear with K.R Barkman Park and how beautiful it is. Much of that is because of Mr Barkman and what he wanted to see there. He was really someone who many people went to for advice. He was a great pillar of our community and we're going to miss him."

Steinbach Progressive Conservative MLA Kelvin Goertzen refers to Barkman as one of Steinbach's greatest citizens and one of Manitoba's finest residents.

"People will know that he was an entrepreneur through his business and, of course through that, he was a risk taker. But I don't think, for Peter, that was ever the end game. It wasn't just about the bottom line. It was about what could you do with that success. He was a tremendous giver in terms of charities and he did that in a humble way and he did that in a way that he wasn't looking to get credit for it. He felt it was part of an obligation that he had to give back to others. He'll always be somebody that we'll point to and say, this is the model that you use to build great businesses, but more importantly, build great communities."

The funeral for Peter Barkman will take place Thursday afternoon at 2:00 at the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church.