British Columbia Medical Journal, January/February 2010 issue Please download or visit this entire issue online at http://bcmj.org/january-february-2010

1. in memoriam
Dr Donald B. Rix medical students at UBC. He person-
1931–2009 ally endowed many institutions in BC
Healer, leader, educator, mentor, phil- and elsewhere in Canada.
anthropist, business leader. Don really cared about people.
Don was all of the above, but first He was always there, ready to help
and foremost he was a physician, both individuals, groups, organizations,
spiritually as well as physically, using and institutions. He was involved
his wisdom and life experiences, med- with Sunnyhill Hospital Foundation,
ical skills, compassion, and philan- Children’s Hospital Foundation, and
thropy to help those in need. Canucks Place Children’s Hospice.
Don was born in Orillia, Ontario, He was instrumental in the estab-
and grew up in London, Ontario, lishment of the BCMA benevolent
where he attended University of West- fund and was the founding contribu-
ern Ontario and obtained a BA in 1953 tor. He would personally meet with
and an MD in 1957. He interned at St. individuals in need of support and help
Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver and plan their recovery. When there were
began his medical career as a general not sufficient funds to help individu-
practitioner, working with Dr Adam als, he would personally provide the
Donald B. Rix, MD
Waldie at his West 10th Avenue clinic needed resources. Even while he was
in Vancouver in 1958. undergoing radiation and chemother-
Don always had a very active and apy he undertook to meet with a young ical Association’s F.N.G. Starr Award
inquisitive nature and while practis- medical student who was in dire need for distinguished achievement, the
ing as a GP became fascinated with of assistance. Don went to bat for him; highest award that the CMA can
pathology. He undertook a residency made sure he had funds to meet his bestow. Don received honorary doc-
program in pathology at Vancouver needs and even dealt with the banks torates from BCIT, the Justice Insti-
General Hospital and received his on his behalf. tute of BC, SFU, UBC, UNBC, UVic,
fellowship in it in 1972. He was associated with many and UWO. Don received the Order of
Leadership is by example, by institutions, including UVic, UBC, BC in 2004 and the Order of Canada
those who walk the talk. Don was that UNBC, and UWO, and contributed to in 2008. The BCMA Board is now in
leader. Whether in the area of family, many of their programs and initiatives the process of establishing the Dr
medicine, business, education, or such as expansion of undergraduate Donald Rix Leadership Award.
philanthropy, Don’s commitments medical training and facilities. The last 2 years were difficult for
were always 100%. When Don was Don was extremely active in the Don and his family; he lost his beloved
considering donations, he always con- BC Medical Association. He was a wife Eleanor in 2007, and shortly after
sulted and included his family in the member of the Board of Directors. He he was diagnosed with cancer. Even
decisions. However, Don did more was a district nominator and chaired though he was undergoing treatment
than just contribute, he would role up the Finance Committee for 20 years. he kept up his community com-
his sleeves and pitch right in, no mat- In recent years at the BCMA Annual mitments, he chaired the Board of
ter what the cause, and he was a very General Meetings he arranged for a Trade, and initiated the Rix Center for
hard and diligent worker as well. trumpet chorus to announce yet anoth- Corporate Citizenship.
Don was a great mentor; he would er “no dues increase” for the member- In addition to those words above,
not only provide assistance and ship. Don was also deputy speaker of there is one other to describe Don:
advice—be it in business, medicine, the Canadian Medical Association. hero.
or philanthropy—but would also seek Throughout the years, Don’s col- Don is survived by his daughter
mentorship and advice. He was always leagues and peers honored him with Laurie and her husband Neil Macrae,
keen to learn from others. He felt that many awards and accolades. He was and his brother Robert (Bob) Rix and
learning was a lifelong experience and given the BCMA Silver Medal of Ser- wife Judith.
sought to share his knowledge with vice for outstanding contributions to —Mark Schonfeld, MD
others. Don was passionate about edu- the medical profession in BC, and this BCMA President and CEO
cation, and for many years he taught past year received the Canadian Med- In Memoriam continued on page 36
www.bcmj.org VOL. 52 NO. 1, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 BC MEDICAL JOURNAL 35

2. in memoriam
In Memoriam continued from page 35 This was followed by undergraduate tion of new clinical skills. He became
studies in such faraway places as one of a coterie of family physicians
Dr Roger John Tudor Ball
Malta, Vienna, and Rome, then back trained in the art of flexible sigmoido-
1938–2009
to the University of Toronto Medical scopic exams.
School and graduation in 1963. He also became a skilled surgical
Roger then began his medical assistant and was happy at the beck
career as a health officer in Newfound- and call of the respiratory surgical
land and Labrador, working in the out- service.
ports of Gander, Come By Chance, In recognition of his exemplary
and Stephenville Crossing. It was in standard of practice, his teaching skill,
these remote places that Roger devel- and his dedication to the profession as
oped his love for kayaking and asso- a whole, Roger was presented with an
ciated water sports. Award of Excellence by the College
Roger returned to Toronto for fur- of Physicians and Surgeons of BC in
ther postgraduate studies, and while 2007.
there he met his future wife, Barbara. However, all was not seriousness
In 1968 they ventured to Kelowna and in Roger’s life. He was an accom-
Roger joined the Knox Clinic, leaving plished bagpiper. As a longtime mem-
in 1973 to enter into private practice. ber of the Pipes and Drums of the
Roger epitomized the concept of Royal Canadian Legion he had the
professionalism. He was dedicated honour of piping before royalty on at
Roger John Tudor Ball, MD not just to his patients but to his pro- least two occasions in Japan and in
fession as well. He was one of the Holland. He also piped at my 65th
Dr Roger Ball died at Hospice House early leaders in student education and birthday, which I consider to be of
in Kelowna at the age of 70. Because was a student placement leader. He equal importance!
his cancer likewise did not survive, placed medical students with various It was a privilege to have been his
Roger declared the duel a draw. physicians in Kelowna, and he and family physician for many years and
Roger leaves behind his beloved Barbara arranged accommodation and an honor to have been with him at the
wife of 41 years, Dr Barbara Massey, transportation for them. They could time of his demise.
sons Graeme and Kevin, and numer- often be found at 9 in the morning up Dr Roger John Tudor Ball will be
ous relatives. changing beds in the old “nurses” dearly missed by his family, col-
Roger began his extensive edu- building for the incoming crop. leagues, patients, and many friends.
cation many years prior when he Roger was never content with the —James M. Tisdale, MD
attended the University of Toronto. status quo and embraced the acquisi- Kelowna
36 BC MEDICAL JOURNAL VOL. 52 NO. 1, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 www.bcmj.org