Arguably his key role in a long career saw him serve as President of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union - now Canadian Interuniversity Sport - from 1977 to 1984.

Zemrau was also the first director of athletics at the University of Alberta from 1963 to 1981.

For over 55 years, the Edmonton native was involved in both the national and international amateur sport scene and in his younger days, he captained the University of Denver to its first ever NCAA hockey championship in 1958.

He joined the University of Alberta in 1960 as an assistant to the dean of Physical Education before being named the inaugural director of athletics in 1963.

Shortly after, Zemrau served as chairman of the Canadian University Centennial Project in 1967, earning the Canadian Centennial Medal of Honour for Service to the Nation for his efforts.

He then became vice-chairman for the 1970 World Amateur Wrestling Championships in Edmonton while he also served as the chairman of the Western Intercollegiate Football League for a four year term between 1968 and 1971.

In 1972 he served as the Chef de Mission for Canada at the World Winter Universiade, held in Lake Placid.

That came before one of his key achievements, which saw him work as a member of the Bid Committee that brought the Commonwealth Games to Edmonton in 1978.

Zemrau then worked as President and chief executive of the World University Games from 1981 to 1985 and spearheaded the move to host the 1983 Summer Universiade held in Edmonton.


In 1984 he was awarded the FISU (International Federation of University Sport) Honour Award and named Edmonton Sportsman of the Year.

Marg McGregor, the Canadian Interuniversity Sport executive director, has led the tributes for Zemrau, saying that he was internationally respected and appreciated.

"He could pick up the phone and reach people that needed to be reached around the globe and people returned his calls," said McGregor.

"He really busted Canadian Interuniversity Sport out internationally, gave us a personality on the world stage from bidding on the Universiade.

"He was one of the good guys, very kind and gentle and well-regarded in every quarter around the globe."

University of Alberta athletic director Ian Reade also paid tribute.

"Personally, I was kind of in awe of him," Reade said.

"He was what I aspired to be, to a very large extent.

"He was just a really nice guy to work around.

"At the same time, he was a very forceful leader, so it was kind of a unique combination."

Zemrau is survived by four children and ten grandchildren.

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