Ian MACWHINNEY Obituary
McWhinney, Ian Renwick- Passed away peacefully on September 28, 2012 at the age of 85, with his family by his side. Cherished husband of the late Betty and adored father of Heather and Julie. Dear father-in-law of Michael and Paul. Loving grandfather of Leah, Max and Claire. Dear brother of Pat and her husband Richard, and uncle of Gillian, Louise and Emma.
Ian was born in 1926 in Burnley, England. Following his medical training at Cambridge, he entered general practice in Stratford- upon-Avon with his father. In 1968, he emigrated to London, Ontario, where he became the first chair of family medicine in Canada at the University of Western Ontario. His visionary work transformed family medicine worldwide from an unacknowledged subject into an academic discipline with undergraduate courses and post-graduate training. His tireless efforts on behalf of family medicine and improved patient care resulted in many honours and awards, including induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.
Blessed with a fine mind, Ian had a philosophical disposition, a strong thirst for knowledge, and a deep desire to make a difference in the world. He touched many people - patients, colleagues, friends, and caregivers alike - with his unfailing kindness and compassion, his gentle nature, and his interest in everyone he met, qualities that remained with him until the end of his life.
The family wishes to thank all those who brought comfort and pleasure to Ian's last years and days, including, in London, the staff of Highview Residences and in Saskatoon, the staff of Palisades Care Home and the Orthopedics Trauma Unit at Royal University Hospital. Special thanks go to Dr. Joanne Hammond and Dr. Steven Goluboff, as well as to friends, Sandi, Eric, Tom, Joe, Brian, Penny, Kim, Vicki, Rhonda, Mel, Donna, Christina, Leslie, Fay and others too numerous to mention. Donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada and to the McWhinney Chair of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, University of Western Ontario, are gratefully accepted. A memorial service will be held in London, Ontario at a later date. E-mail condolences may be sent to [email protected]. Arrangements entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME, (306) 244-5577
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
29 Entries
Lawrence Silverberg
February 2, 2013
I read a paper edition of his first "Family Medicine" in the mid 1970's, given to me by Lynn Carmichael. We both loved his work. I am convinced that our early models on family medicine in the US were based on Dr. MacWhinney's work. I feel, with the loss of Dr. Carmichael and Dr. MacWhinney our greatest philosophers are gone.....I am sorry for your loss.
Dr. Lawrence Silverberg, DO
John Payne
December 16, 2012
Heather and Julie, my sincere condolences. I first met your father when I took his "Theoretical Foundations of Family Medicine" course in 1986. Over the years whenever I saw him he was interested in what I was doing in my small town practice.
After your mother died I would pick him up 3-4 times a year, in London or LaSalle, to go for lunch. His favourite place was "At The Forks". We would talk about travel, Family Medicine, the state of the world, books, articles and birds. He even drove the Corolla to Dresden once to see my little country office. Lunch was at Faye'sBakery.
I will always treasure my " Wednesdays With Ian" Thank you for sharing him with so many of us.
Campbell Murdoch
November 18, 2012
He was a great man and an inspiration to many of us younger academics in Family Medicine. I was privileged to travel round New Zealand with Betty and Ian in 1983 when I arrived here as New Zealand's first Chair of General Practice and we had been in touch ever since. I last met him in Northern Ontario in 2009.
Ronald Kerr
October 29, 2012
Dr McWhinney was head of the Dept of Family Medicine at the University of Western Ontario and head of the Family Medicine Residency program in which I graduated in 1975. He profoundly influence the methodology of modern Family Practice. I am truly indebted to him for his teaching of a compassionate, empathetic and caring practice of medicine. Thank you Dr McWhinney. And thank you to all your protégés that followed your teachings over the years. We, providers and patients, are all beneficiaries of your vision and belief of what a family doctor is.. Sincerely, Ron Kerr, MD, FCFP, UWO Meds 1973
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Larry Halverson
October 16, 2012
I read Dr. MacWhinney's introduction to a Dr. Stephen's book last evening. I was thinking of him and my one meeting with him as I drove to work today. This news is deeply felt. He was an inspiration for so many like me.
Bob Phillips
October 16, 2012
Your father was father to our specialty and mentor to my mentors. Ian left an important legacy felt around the world. We share in your loss, in some small part, and celebrate his memory on a grand scale
Isabel Jacob
October 14, 2012
Sentidas condolências à família de tão ilustre colega e mestre
October 10, 2012
Un sentido pesame por la muerte de tan importante Medico El Dr. IAN MACWINNEY,lo seguiremos recordando ya que utlizamos sus conocimientos sobre la Medicina Familiar en nuestras Clases en la Facultad de Medicina de la Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla,. Atentamente Dr. Angel González Lastra
October 10, 2012
Heather, I was saddened by the news of your father passing. Please know that you are in my thoughts. Love Brenda
G. Gayle Stephens
October 10, 2012
Ian's voice was the clearest, deepest, most original and trustworthy guide to generations of family physicians, world-wide, who were trying to transform general practice in the last half of the twentieth century. I will remember him with great affection and thanks.
Dr. Juan Torres
October 8, 2012
El Círculo Profesional de Medicina Familiar Comunitaria y Atención Primaria, externa sus condolencias a los familiares del Dr. MACWHINNEY. Paz a sus restos.
Arnulfo Irigoyen-Coria
October 8, 2012
The death of Dr. Ian McWhinney is a great loss to the Worldwide Family Medicine. In the case of Mexico, Dr. Mc Whinney trained two professors of Familiy Medicine at UNAM in the Department of Family Medicine at Western Ontario,Canada.Around 1979.
Mario Ruiz Jiménez
October 8, 2012
My deepest condolences to the family. The meaning of life Dr.Macwhinney for family medicine in Panama is immeasurable, as well as Latin America. Actually, he was one of the reasons why that today, there is family medicine in Panama.
Rest in peace, Master of Family Medicine.
Ismael Villaseñor
October 5, 2012
People who bring so much good to humanity not die, they just lie and always help others further effort to relieve pain. No personally met Professor Ian McWhinney but I have understood that I can not be a doctor without affection and love for people.
Farewell Professor.
Ismael Ramirez Villaseñor, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Guadalupe Fong
October 5, 2012
ha sido un referente inigualable para la enseñanza de la especialidad, habiendo trascendido dentro de la medicina familiar, mis sentidas condolencias a su familia y amigos.
Marcelo Ramat
October 5, 2012
Se fue un referente latinoamericano que me enseño muchisimo,orgullosamente puedo decir que soy alguien que siguio su modelo de Medico de Familia, mi mas sentido pesame.
Santiago Álvarez
October 4, 2012
He had been helping me from my first family practice years, here in Spain. I red his Textbook of Family Medicine almost 30 years ago. Thank you very much...
David Clark
October 4, 2012
I vividly recall meeting your father thirty years ago, and how struck I was by his measured thoughtfulness and compassionate understanding. He was one of a kind, irreplaceable. I grieve with you and with your family, Heather.
Atardecer en las montañas de Ecuador
Galo Sanchez
October 4, 2012
Muchas gracias por sus conocimientos y apoyo al desarrollo de la Especialidad en Medicina Familiar. Nuestras mas sentidas condolencias a su familia desde la Sociedad Ecuatoriana de Medicina Familiar.
Luís Filipe Gomes
October 3, 2012
I had only once the pleasure to meet this fantastic person. He will go on inspiring me as a doctor, and I will go on spreading his fundamental work. We will miss you, Ian.
Patricio Cacace
October 3, 2012
Desde Buenos Aires, Argentina, compartimos nuestra tristeza con sus familiares y amigos. Siempre será el verdadero padre y maestro de la medicina familiar. Nos queda honorar su legado y diseminarlo. Gracias por mostrarnos el camino....
October 3, 2012
My condolences to you and your family, Heather. It sounds like your dad was quite a man.
Reta Derksen
Liz Farmer
October 3, 2012
I never had the pleasure of meeting Ian personally but his writing inspired me throughout my career. Deepest sympathies to his family. Vale Ian. Professor Liz Farmer.
Teng Liaw
October 2, 2012
I visited Ian McWhinney in 1991 while on sabbatical in McMaster. His writings have always inspired me and continue to. Having a chance to discuss his thoughts with him was a priviliege and a pleasure. Vale Professor McWhinney
Teng Liaw - Australia
Grant Russell
October 2, 2012
My deepest condolences to Ian's family.
I had the great fortune to meet with him regularly while working in London a decade ago. His patience, wisdom and moral compass were as evident then, as in his wonderful writings. His view of family medicine and its role in alleviating suffering was ever present. For many of us that perspective has inestimably enriched and redirected our professional lives. Barely a week passes by without me quoting him or thinking of his view of the world.
A very special man.
Larry A. Green
October 2, 2012
Used his published work again yesterday. Can feel the empty space today.
October 1, 2012
Ian was a gentleman, a scholar, a fine teacher, and a great friend. We were privileged to have known him.
This is a sad day.
Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong
Nicholas PImlott
October 1, 2012
I only met Dr. McWhinney on one occasion at Family Medicine Forum and that was three or four years ago, but his writings and his example have been a touchstone throughout my career in family medicine.
The longer I am in practice the more I find that his ideas and his reflections on what it means to be a generalist physician resonate with me. There was rigour, compassion and humility in his writing that will live on now that he is gone.
Please accept my condolences and best wishes.
Kathleen James-Cavan
October 1, 2012
Dear Heather, Michael, and Claire,and family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you in our thoughts,
Kathleen James-Cavan and family
Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results
338 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2L7
Make a Donation
in Ian MACWHINNEY's name
How to support Ian's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ian MACWHINNEY's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
