Mr. McQueen with John Diefenbaker

From 1970 - 1979, Archie McQueen spent his summers in the Parliament Hill office of the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th prime minister.

He met the Chief for the first time in 1968 at his alma mater, Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier). Archie had nominated Mr. Diefenbaker for an honorary doctorate, and he had accepted.

Mr. McQueen had many responsibilities. He replied to letters which came from all across Canada, he aided constituents through much of rural Saskatchewan, he took dictation, and he researched for speeches. He spent the mornings one summer, at the National Archives examining Mr. Diefenbaker's papers for use in his memoirs. One discovery was a letter written by the Queen of England herself - a rarity.

The most exciting part of his position was the traveling. Except Newfoundland, Mr. McQueen visited each province, some many many times. Some highlights ... attending the Calgary Stampede, taking the train through the Rockies, attending the Montreal Olympics, salmon fishing in British Columbia, and taking part in Diefenbaker's last two elections in Prince Albert. At the Toronto Exhibition, Archie heard Mr. Diefenbaker deliver a speech that Mr. McQueen had researched, which called for a minister for seniors. In 1978 he vacationed at Christmas and New Year's in Barbados with Mr. Diefenbaker. Edward Heath, the Prime Minister of England, often visited for them for lunch there.

For the summers, 1977-79, Mr. McQueen lived with Mr. Diefenbaker in Rockcliffe Park. Mrs. Olive Diefenbaker had died in 1976. For those three years, Mr. McQueen flew almost monthly to Ottawa to spend week-ends and holidays. When Mr. Diefenbaker came to Southern Ontario he usually accompanied him.

On August 16th, 1979, Mr. Diefenbaker died in his study - a study where they had watched golf, wrestling, and baseball on television together for years.

Mr. McQueen was an honorary pall-bearer and traveled on the funeral train to Saskatoon for Mr. Diefenbakers last trip.