Alan FORWARD

FORWARD, Dr. Alan Douglas (Herb)
August 26, 1932 – May 17, 2018
Herb passed peacefully in his sleep, at home in the presence of his loving wife, Diane. They shared thirty-one precious years of marriage, skiing, hiking, golfing and travelling together. Herb was born in Mt. Isa, Australia and moved to Canada at age three. He attended University Hill School (1939-1950) in Vancouver and later graduated from UBC Medical School in 1957. He specialized in surgical training at UBC, Montreal and Buffalo through 1963. Herb's primary interests in surgical practice were surgical education, cancer, trauma, transplantation surgery (liver) and administration. He was the Director of Surgical Education in the Department of Surgery, UBC from 1972-1997. Herb was Head of Surgery at UBC and Vancouver General Hospital from 1982-1987. A major portion of Herb's teaching was committed to surgical residents; many of whom have practiced in the province of BC and the rest of Canada. He was the on-call surgeon for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Vancouver. Although Herb was considered "a legend in his time" within surgical circles, he was always modest regarding his talents and achievements. Herb directed all of his admiration and gratitude to Dr. Wallace B. Chung for his excellent mentoring. After retirement, Herb continued to participate in the education of undergraduate students in Surgical Method and in teaching Rural Family Practice residents. He extended his enthusiasm and talents to painting where he was a prolific and exceptional artist and historian of landscapes, especially of British Columbia. Herb will be forever remembered for his sage advice including, always have inside and outside hobbies, because when something eventually goes, you will still have activities. He was the mentor and teacher to his extensive family hosting fireside chats, art lessons for his grandchildren, presiding at weddings as the Master of Ceremonies, preparing holiday turkeys, and heading family gatherings with toasts and songs. Herb enriched the lives of his wife Diane, his four children, Barry, Patty, Donna and Peter, Diane's children, Doug, Dennis, Darcy, Terri- Lyn and Arlana, respective spouses and Herb and Diane's combined 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Herb treasured "enjoying and sharing our family with Diane – our children and grandchildren – never a dull moment!" and we treasured Herb. At Herb's request there will be no Service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UBC Medical School, Department of Surgery.