Tibor BEZEREDI

BEZEREDI, Tibor MD
1930 - 2017
Tibor Bezeredi passed away peacefully in his 87th year from complications of blood disorder. Attended by his cherished Meg. He endured his many health challenges with courage and optimism. He is survived by his loving partner in life Meg, former first wife Judith, daughter Alexandra, and stepson John. Predeceased by his second wife Doris. He will be fondly remembered by Doris's children Beverly, Brad, and Anji. Tibor was born in the Transdanubian town of Kaposvar, Hungary. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up there and in Budapest, until the Soviet occupation of his homeland made his family's life difficult. He enrolled in University as a medical student. He participated in the 1956 uprising. After its collapse, he fled to the West and was admitted to Canada as a refugee. He settled in Vancouver and resumed his medical studies at the University of British Columbia, graduating with an M.D. in 1960. Following an internship, he entered residency training in Psychiatry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he earned his Master's Degree. He returned to Vancouver and joined the Department of Psychiatry of UBC as a clinical assistant professor. He applied his knowledge of mental health in the Emergency Department of the Vancouver General Hospital. He was co-director, later director of Psychiatric Emergency Services and the Psychiatric Assessment Unit at the Vancouver General Hospital. He practiced adult and forensic psychiatry spanning a period of 40 years. He published articles, taught medical students and supervised residents. He was perhaps best known as a passionate teacher who was generous with his time and advice. During more than half a century of practicing psychiatry, he served on local, provincial and national professional societies. He was president of the B.C. Psychiatric Association and served on the Canadian Psychiatric Association national executive for 15 years. He retired from practice in 2000 as a Clinical Professor Emeritus. Thereafter he worked part time as a psychiatric consultant to a large insurance company for another 14 years. Tibor dedicated his life to his job. In his free time, he was an avid gardener, growing prize winning roses. As time began to slow him down, he became an enthusiastic bridge player who had a great passion for the game and the challenges it represented. He loved a good conversation and was curious and well informed. In his final years, his health problems multiplied. His life was extended by the administrations of his doctors. He extends his deepest gratitude to all of the unnamed blood donors, whose contributions prolonged his life. In keeping with his wishes there will be no memorial service following cremation.