C. RONALD BRADFORD

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C. RONALD BRADFORD D.F.C., M.D., FRCS(C), FSOGC Beloved husband and dear friend of Margaret (Douglas) Bradford died on August 23, 2001 at home in Richmond. He is remembered with love by his wife Margaret and their children, Susan (Luc) and their daughters, Sarah and Kate, David (Ulla) and their daughter Lisa; Barbara (Larry) and their daughters, Claire and Hannah, and John (Louise) and their daughter Laura. He will also be remembered with deep affection by his stepfather Maurice Kowalson of Winnipeg; and his sister Willow Rutherford of Nanaimo and her five sons and their families. A remembrance service will be a private family affair. Ronald was born in Lacombe, Alberta, in 1923, but lived most of his life in Manitoba. After finishing high school in 1941, he enlisted in the RCAF, and obtained his pilots wings in June 1942, at McLeod, Alberta. Following this, he served overseas, both in the United Kingdom and South-east Asia, returning home in August 1945 as a Flight-Lieutenant, D.F.C. He then enrolled in the University of Manitoba and obtained his M.D. in June 1951. After graduating, Ron worked in Taber, Alberta, as a Family Practitioner for four years, and then returned to post graduate studies in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Manitoba and Louisiana State University, obtaining a Fellowship in the Royal College in November 1959. In 1960 he joined Drs. Bleeks, McCawley, and Schmidt in Winnipeg, in the practice of his speciality, an association that was unique in the bonds of friendship that grew in physicians working together in partnership. During this time, he also served as a member of council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, and as an examiner in obstetrics and gynaecology for the Royal College. In 1979, to satisfy an urge for adventure and a new experience, he accepted a position for a year as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecology to the government of Western Samoa. Following this, he returned to Canada to become Head of the Division of Clinical Obstetrics at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Ron retired in 1987, and he and Margaret moved to Richmond, British Columbia, to be near their children and grandchildren, while at the same time being able to walk in the woods and birdwatch in all seasons, and play golf with his beloved friend of long standing, Don Bennett. Rons greatest loves were his family and the wonders of the natural world. The part of his work he particularly enjoyed were the hours teaching countless students and residents over many years. The two honours he cherished most were being the first recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award from the Residents and Interns of Manitoba in 1979, and receiving the Joe Doupe cup for Professor of the Year, voted on by the students of the Faculty of Medicine in 1983. Although he didnt accept organized religion as a part of his life, towards the end he gained comfort from his belief in pantheism. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Canadian Nature Federation, Suite 606, 1 Nicholas St., Ottawa, Ont., K1N 7B7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 01, 2001