DR. BERNHARD B. FAST, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.A.C.P.

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DR. BERNHARD B. FAST, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.A.C.P. After a rich and full life of dedicated public service, Dr. Bernhard B. Fast died peacefully in Winnipeg on August 27, 2006. The many people whom he touched in his life will remember his intelligence, curiosity, humour and empathy. Predeceased by his parents and sister Bettie (Goossen), he is survived by; his wife of 52 years Thelma (nee Clark), his children; Catherine (Derrick), Arthur (Jennifer), Carol (Tom) and Frances, his grandchildren; Martha, Sarah, Brian, Ian, Andrew, Peter and Allison, as well his siblings; Neil, Nellie (Dahl) and Bill. He was born January 13, 1925 in southern Russia and immigrated with his family to Canada as an infant. He spent his early years in Springstein, MB and attended the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, graduating as an Isbister Scholar. He earned his medical degree at the University of Manitoba in 1951, then went on to complete several post-graduate Fellowships at; McGill University, several hospitals in London, England and Harvard Medical School. In 1957 he returned to Manitoba and joined the Winnipeg Clinic as a specialist in Internal Medicine, providing excellent care to scores of grateful patients for 43 years. While maintaining his busy clinical practice he was also very involved in a wide variety of other medical activities. He was a gifted teacher who enjoyed passing on his knowledge to students, interns and residents. He started teaching with the University of Manitoba Medical School in 1957 and became a full professor in 1989. Former students speak of him with special reverence. One described him as “one of the last, great, generalist internists”; meaning that the depth and breadth of his knowledge in all areas of internal medicine is unlikely to be seen again in this era of super specialization. He also served as the Winnipeg Clinic’s Medical Director from 1970 to 1981, as Chief of Medicine at Concordia Hospital, as a Board Member at the Health Sciences Centre and on numerous teaching committees at the University. He was elected a Governor of the American College of Physicians and Surgeons and served in that capacity for five years. Apart from his passions for his family, medicine and teaching, Dr. Fast was a true Renaissance man. His interests and hobbies were varied and wide-ranging. A voracious reader; he took a lively interest in biographies, history, a variety of periodicals and he liked to brag that he “never read fiction”. He travelled extensively in Asia, Russia, Europe and North America and he loved to visit museums and fine restaurants. He was an avid collector of Canadian Art and, as his wife Thelma once said, “he was already buying Group of Seven paintings when we were still using lawn furniture in the living room”. For many years he was also a member of the board of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and that institution is currently home to several pieces from his private collection of Canadian landscape art. When asked about his life he replied that “the children and grandchildren are my greatest legacy and I’m proud of each of them.” He took particular pleasure in his time at Victoria Beach where the family would gather each summer. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, 255 Oak St. at Kingsway, on Thursday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the University of Manitoba Medical School Scholarship Fund would be appreciated, University of Manitoba Medical School Scholarship Fund Department of Private Funding, 179 Continuing Education Building, U of M Fort Garry Campus, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 31, 2006