GESTUR KRISTJANSSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GESTUR KRISTJANSSON Gestur Kristjansson was born in Winnipeg on October 16, 1922 to Ludwig and Gestny Kristjansson. Left to mourn his passing are his beloved wife Norma; children, Heida Sigfusson (Skuli) and Gestur Jr. (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Freya Sigfusson (James McInnis), Noni Rosenblat (Daniel), Kristjan Sigfusson, Hunter and Bryce Kristjansson; his sister Bjorg Brownell. He was predeceased by his brothers, Kristinn (Irene) and Vilberg (Barbara); and sisters, Hilda Blondahl (Valur), Sigga Ewert (William) and Evelyn. Words do not express the family's sadness and sense of loss surrounding his tragic death. They wish to express gratitude to the various authorities for their continuing efforts to bring closure to this matter. Gestur attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and worked with his dad plastering and stuccoing many houses in the West End of Winnipeg and the Interlake area. At the age of 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to serve in the Second World War and was stationed in various centers teaching wireless radio communications. He maintained a lifelong passion for all things mechanical and credits the Forces for some of his early training in this regard. Following the war Gestur completed his high school diploma and went on to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. He married Norma Johnson on May 24, 1950. Two years later, after the birth of their daughter Heida, the family moved to North Dakota where Gestur set up practice and achieved his American Medical Fellowship. Upon return to Winnipeg, Gestur practiced at the Osborne Medical Centre and subsequently co-founded Westbrook Medical Centre where he practiced from 1960 to 1996. Gestur and Norma had a son, Gestur Jr. in 1968. Dr. Kristjansson maintained admitting privileges at the Misericordia Hospital and volunteered over many decades at the Villa Rosa Home. He also volunteered his services for the Shrine Circus and for many professional and amateur sporting teams in Winnipeg. Dr. Kristjansson served as President for the General Practitioners Assoc. of Manitoba and as a board member of Seven Oaks Hospital for a number of years for which he received recognition. Outside of his profession Gestur had many passions. In 1962 he built his dream, a little log cabin at Lake of the Woods. He also crafted two fireball sailboats in his basement over the off-season and became an accomplished sailor, winning several provincial championships and capturing the Canadian Fireball Championship in 1967 with his daughter Heida. He gave much back to Canadian sailing - as a co-founder of the Zig Zag Yacht Club at his beloved Clearwater Bay as well as teaching boat safety for the Canadian Power Squadron Corps. He volunteered on the sailing committee for the 1968 Pan Am Games establishing the Gimli Yacht Club as an international sailing venue. Gestur, although taking up golf later in life represented the province in the Canadian Senior Championships held in St. Andrews by the Sea and competed in the tournament again in 1985 in Victoria. .He loved to compete with friends and in club events at both St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg and the Caloosa Golf and Country club in Sun City Center, Florida, where he made his winter home for the past fourteen years. Many of his closest friends were made on the golf course and he will be missed in his weekly games, both on the course and off. Gestur embraced his Icelandic heritage and will be remembered for his active participation and involvement in the Icelandic community; serving as President of the Leif Eriksson Club; Icelandic Canadian Fron; and serving on the Committee which unified the two papers, Logberg and Heimskringla. Along with his wife Norma, he worked to establish the Scandanavian Cultural Centre. Based in a deep appreciation of nature and the outdoors, Gestur loved to hunt and pursued upland and big game. Gestur was an avid participant in curling, squash, bridge, billiards, chess and fishing at various times during his life. The thing not captured in his many accomplishments is his true empathy and deep appreciation for other people and the human condition. Gestur was as comfortable speaking with fellow octogenarians as he was to children. He was a student of life and people to his end and the vigour and passion with which he approached every situation and exchange could be well emulated by all. He excelled as a communicator and mentor; inspiring and lending support to his family, friends and associates; often conferring with his chief confidant and moral compass, his wife Norma. We are grateful for all the moments and memories. We are deeply saddened by his passing and we wish him peace... Goda nott. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Gestur Kristjansson Fund, The Winnipeg Foundation, 1350 - 1 Lombard Pl., Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3, or online at wpgfdn.org. Expressions of condolence may be sent to condolences@nbardal.mb.ca. neil bardal inc. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2006