Born in Medicine Hat, Mr. Monkman graduated from the University of Alberta in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. For the next nine years, he worked in design and construction for Calgary Power Ltd., then headed east to become operating superintendent and later assistant general manager for Newfoundland Light and Power Company Ltd. In 1953 he returned to the Calgary area, becoming managing director of Light Weight Aggregates of Canada Ltd., which was later renamed Consolidated Concrete Industries Ltd. In 1961 he was appointed executive vice-president and remained with the company for several more years before retiring.

Elected to Council in 1957, Mr. Monkman served as a member of the Association Meetings Committee and was elected Association vice-president in 1960 and president in 1961. Mr. Monkman was granted Life Membership of APEGGA in December 1967.

He also helped found the Association of Professional Engineers of Newfoundland, serving as its first president in 1952, and chaired the Newfoundland and Calgary branches of the Engineering Institute of Canada.