Malcolm PEAT

Dr. Malcolm Peat MBE, MSc, PhD, DSc (hon), MD (hon)
Suddenly, on Tuesday January 17, 2017, Dr. Malcolm Peat of Kingston, ON, died doing what he loved best - travelling the world. He and Gail Woodbury, with whom he enjoyed so much over the last seven years, were in Italy following a Mediterranean cruise. Born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1932, Malcolm was predeceased by his wife Enid (2004), and is also survived by his daughter Fiona Valliere (Robert Lange) and his adored grandchildren Erika Valliere (Tom Stevens) of Vancouver and Iain Valliere (Melissa Bumstead) of Ottawa.

Over the course of his career, Malcolm touched many lives around the world. His international career began as Advisor of Rehabilitation in the Ministry of Overseas Development for the United Kingdom (1960-71). He established the first Physical Therapy program in Myanmar (formerly Burma), where he trained over 1000 therapists. He developed policy in physical rehabilitation and disability services, as well as educational programs in universities in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines. For this work he was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1967 by H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth.

Immigrating to Canada in 1971 and becoming a Canadian citizen soon after, he completed his MSc and PhD at the University of Manitoba before moving to London as Director of the Physical Therapy School at Western University and subsequently Director of the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Queen's University. During his career Malcolm held consultant positions with the World Health Organization, World Bank, UN, NGOs and foreign governments.

Malcolm will be most recently remembered for his leadership at Queen's University where he established the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR). ICACBR worked with communities affected by conflict, poverty, oppression, displacement, tsunamis, and land mines. What began as a project in Asia led to work in Canada, the Americas, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eritrea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as to on-line learning programs for students all around the world. Many thousands have been impacted by his vision for equity and inclusion that led to the betterment of the lives of people with disabilities and their communities. His passion for the work kept him actively involved with ICACBR until 2014 when he finally retired.

In his everyday life, Malcolm enjoyed his love of music, took immense delight in time with his family, a gin and tonic at five o'clock and sharing dinners and stories with his dear friends. The energy with which Malcolm lived his life was truly inspirational, he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

A Celebration of Malcolm's life will be held at the University Club at Queen's, 168 Stuart St., Kingston, on Saturday February 11, 2-4 p.m. Donations may be made to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation of whom Malcolm was a great supporter.