WILLIAM DOERN

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WILLIAM DOERN April 12, 1902 - August 30, 2003 With sadness, our family announces the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather on August 30, 2003 at East Gate Lodge in Beausejour. His love of life and his strong will carried him into his 102nd year. Predeceased by his loving wife Louise, and his eldest son William Robert, Bill is survived by his son David (Mary) of Mississauga, ON and their children, Bill (Susan), Peter (Cori) and Brenda Lopes (Richard) daughters, Catherine Harrison (Murray) of Beausejour and their children, Patricia Hendriks (Paul), Neil and Laura, Elsa Poitras (Joseph) and their daughter Tara of Scarborough, ON; Bill Jr.s widow Arleen of Mississauga and their children, Michelle Houghton (Craig), David, Denise McLean (John) and Scott (Cindy) sister Ruth Winkler of Winnipeg; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Born at Overstone, MB, he spent his formative years in Morden until being admitted to the Ninette Sanatorium in 1924 with tuberculosis. While convalescing there, he was asked by the medical director, Dr. David A. Stewart to try his hand at operating the x-ray machine. Prior to becoming ill, Dad had taken training in high tension electricity which provided him with a good foundation on which to build his career as a pioneer in the fledgling field of radiography. In 1929, he successfully wrote the membership exams for the American Society of Radiographers, became the Chief Technician of the Ninette Sanatorium and helped found and develop the first organization for x-ray technologists in Canada, The Western Canada Society of Radiographers. He was proud of his involvement in the development of the first mobile x-ray van which travelled the province for early detection of tuberculosis of the lungs. His skill and innovative approaches to improving radiography were quickly recognized and he was asked to become the Chief Technologist at the Winnipeg General Hospital (now Health Sciences Centre) in 1932. He initiated a student training program whose graduates were highly sought after. In cooperation with the CNIB, he undertook the experiment of employing a blind person in the darkroom processing films. As a result of this, many visually handicapped persons across Canada found employment in x-ray departments. His hobby of photography contributed to the development of the Medical Photography Department at the Winnipeg General Hospital in the late 1930s. Not only was he active in contributing to the science of radiography in the Radiology Department at the hospital, he was committed to the development of a strong professional association for all of Canada. From 1935 to 1966, not a year went by without his participation either as an executive of the WCSR or the CSRT (now Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists) or as a member of a standing committee. In 1967, he received the Canada Centennial Medal having been nominated by the CSRT for "recognition of valuable service to the nation". In 1979, the MAMRT established the William Doern Service Award at its 50th Anniversary meeting. His professional activities are only one dimension of a life well lived. Music and his church were always important to him. He organized an orchestra while a patient at Ninette and was a founding member and cellist with the Manitoba Medical Orchestra in Winnipeg. He was an active member and elder of St. Andrews River Heights United Church until he and Louise moved to Beausejour in 1985. There, he was soon actively involved in St. Pauls United Church, singing in the choir until well into his 90s. He always enjoyed DIY projects of all kinds, travelling with the motor home and fixing anything mechanical (even if it didnt need it). The family would like to thank the staff of East Gate Lodge and Stony Plains Terrace for their dedicated care of Dad over the past few years. In lieu of flowers, donations to the East Gate Lodge Memory Garden, in care of Box 1690, Beausejour, MB ROE OCO or to a charity of your choice would allow Bill to make a final contribution to the benefit of others. A service in celebration of Dads life will be held on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews River Heights United Church, 255 Oak St., Winnipeg (corner of Oak Street and Kingsway Avenue). PERSISTENCE Nothing in the world can take the place of PERSISTENCE. TALENT will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. GENIUS will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. EDUCATION will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. PERSISTENCE and DETERMINATION alone are omnipotent. The slogan "Press On" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. - Calvin Coolidge SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB toll free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 03, 2003