During his final visit to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2012, Dr Henry Nowik was described as a pioneer entrepreneur, a champion of regional development, and a visionary philanthropist and benefactor.

Tributes have again flowed for Dr Henry Ian Alexander Nowik AO OBE following his death on Thursday 12 March in Maleny, Queensland at the age of 97. 

Born in Poland, Dr Nowik was a young man at the outbreak of the Second World War. He served in the Royal Air Force, spent time as a prisoner of war and became involved with the French resistance. For his services, he was awarded the Polish Military Cross, the Polish Gold Cross of Merit, the French Croix de Guerre and he was made a Bachelor Knight of Polonia Restituta.

After the war, Dr Nowik graduated from Lyon University in law and political science and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy. He taught at London University but moved into industry with the US manufacturer, Mars Incorporated.

His unswerving support for regional development, particularly Albury-Wodonga, began with his establishment of the Uncle Bens pet food factory in Wodonga in the mid-1960s. The company became Australia's largest pet food manufacturer.

A member of the governing council of Riverina College of Advanced Education from 1972 to 1978, Dr Nowik was known for his as generosity by sharing his time, experience and expertise with staff and students.

In 1993, CSU conferred on Dr Nowik a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) for his 'immeasurable' support to the University and its predecessor institutions.

In the same year, CSU named its main lecture theatre in central Albury after Dr Nowik. Dr Nowik is also remembered for his support of the annual Henry Nowik public lecture series and CSU students through scholarships.

In 2012, Dr Nowik and his wife Kathy visited CSU in Albury-Wodonga for a naming ceremony of the campus' central building, the Nowik Learning Commons at Thurgoona.

Head of Campus at CSU in Albury-Wodonga Professor Julia Coyle said, "We will sorely miss the passion and commitment that Dr Nowik brought to debate about regional Australia. 

"He has left a significant legacy from his active support for the education of rural people.  This has changed individual lives and provided outcomes for regional communities."

Adjunct Professor Bruce Pennay OAM, from the CSU School of Environmental Sciences in Albury-Wodonga, said, "Henry Nowik was an early champion of Albury-Wodonga as a Growth Centre. 

"He believed regional centres should have as wide a range of facilities as possible and that made him also a champion for what was our small but growing campus. His passing is a loss for Albury-Wodonga and also for Charles Sturt University."