Robin BELL-IRVING

JAN. 23, 1924 - AUG. 28, 2008 DR. ROBIN BELL-IRVING 'Well done, my good & faithful servant!' It is with sadness, but great respect, we announce the passing, after a long illness, of Dr. Robin Watson Bell-Irving, MD, FRCP(C), FACP Robin, . born in Vancouver, raised in Vancouver, Powel River, & West Vancouver back at the time, when the North Shore was only accessible by a ferry, to 'travel' to Vancouver! Robin had a passion for learning, and was throughout his life, a dedicated humanitarian. Dr. Bell-Irving practiced Medicine as an internal medicine specialist, & adult family medicine. Geriatrics was his passion. Indeed, he was a pioneer in the practice of Hospital and community Geriatric Medicine on the North Shore. Dr. Bell-Ir ving was the first specialist in medicine on the North Shore, when he arrived after graduation from Toronto University in Medicine 1946, Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal 1949, & The Toronto General & Sunnybrook Hospitals 1950 - 1951. Originally known, as the North Vancouver General Hospital; Dr. Carsen Graham was the chief of staff at the time, and there was one surgeon, Dr. Bill Arbor, and 40 family doctors on staff. Dr Bell-Irving was key to the successful negotiation and community effort, to build today's Lions Gate Hospital. He was Chief of the Medical Staff, when the new 'Lions Gate Hospital,' was opened in 1961. He practiced for 42 years as a physician on the North Shore, & was instrumental, in initiating the Rehabilitation Units, the Evergreen Extended Care Facility (the first such unit attached to a hospital in BC) of which, he was Medical Director for 22 years; & in partnership with Dr. Werner Bolt, the wonderful Palliative Care Unit at Lions Gate Hospital. He helped to found the Ethics Committee, and served on the Student Intern Committee, to teach new doctors in training, since its inception. He acted for 8 years, as the head of the Education Committee of the BCMA, and represented BC, on the Canadian Medical Association Education Committee for 5 years. He was a longtime member of the Northwest Pacific Society of Internal Medicine. Dr. Bell-Ir ving also ser ved his community. He acted as the consulting doctor to the V.O.N. for 20 years, until it was absorbed by the BC Government. He served on the Medical Advisory Board to the Canadian Arthritic and Rheumatic Society BC branch, for some 10 years; the Red Cross Society West Vancouver Branch, the Kiwanis West Vancouver Service Club, and on the Board of the West Vancouver United Church for three years. Robin was a very active member of the Capilano Golf & Country Club, & the Probis Club North Shore Vancouver. Sur vived by brother D.H. 'Har ry' Bell-Ir ving (Theo), Robin and his wife Norma (nee Sim), married 57 years; have five children, Robert (Janice), Dr. Kathy Bell-Irving (Dr. David Vass), Jeannie, John (Jane Kennedy), & Barbara. Robin & Norma, are proud of their nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A great husband, father & family man, Dad will be missed by all. The family is very grateful, for the skilled and compassionate nursing care, provided by the Home Care Community Nursing Team, the West Van Fire Department for the night time visits to help, and the Ambulance services. Also for the care provided by the Lions Gate Hospital Emergency Department Team, the Fourth Floor staff, and ultimately by the Pa lliative Care Unit. We're very grateful to family physician Dr. Mike Knight; also, Dr. Peter Graff, Dr. Nick Hariton, Dr. ONeil and Dr. Paul Sugar were instrumental in helping with Robin's health & quality of life these past few years. Dr. Bell-Irving always had a very high regard for his colleagues; & indeed, all the entire Staff at Lions Gate, whom he regarded, as a very special Team. Funeral Service: West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt, West Vancouver, 2 PM, Friday, September 5, 2008. Reception to follow. Donations: In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation & Hospice Program. For those wishing to share a memory of Robin, please go to www.mem.com Hollyburn Funeral Home 604-922-1221