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MARCEL BALTZAN Obituary
DR. MARCEL ALTER BALTZAN OC, SOM, BSC, MDCM, FRCPC, MACP DSC , OCTOBER 31, 1929-JANUARY 1, 2005 Died peacefully in his sleep after a valiant battle with heart disease. He is survived by his loving wife, Nahid Ahmad, his children, Marc Jr. (Lisa), Frances, Elizabeth, Zeba Ahmad (Jawed Akhtar), his grandchildren, Faraaz, Sakeena, Alexandre, Isabel & Margo, his brother, Richard (Nancy), his cousin, Ronald (Arda), his sisterin-law, Joan Baltzan and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Rose Baltzan and brother Donald. Marc attended Victoria School & Nutana Collegiate. He then obtained his medical education at McGill University, graduating in 1953. He further trained at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA. He returned to Saskatoon in 1959 to set up a private practice with his father and later his brothers, Donald and Richard. Dr. Marc will always be remembered for setting up the first kidney dialysis unit at St. Paul's Hospital through a generous donation from the Baltzan family and pioneering kidney transplantation in Canada at Royal University Hospital. Even with a busy clinical practice Dr. Marc was able to assume leadership roles as president of the Canadian Medical Association, Saskatchewan Medical Association, Saskatoon & District Medical Association and Chairman, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. Until his death he remained passionately devoted to his patients and profession. He was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 1995. Other honors include, Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1999), Master of the American College of Physicians (1999), Innovative Canadian Physician in the last 35 years, Medical Post (2000). In the spring of 2004 he received an honorary DSc from the University of Saskatchewan. Marc took great pride in his many family business ventures including ownership of a great Saskatoon landmark, the Bessborough Hotel (1973-1989). Marc was involved in the community and was a leading figure in the creation of the Downtown Partnership. Marc's poignant and entertaining comments in numerous publications, radio and television will be missed. He actively participated in debate with political leaders on economic and healthcare issues. Dr. Marc Baltzan will be remembered as an outstanding clinican-scientist, medical economist, educator and family man. The family would like to thank all those who have shown such love and concern over the past months, especially the physicians and nursing staff at RUH, CCU & Ward 6000. A Memorial Reception was held January 5th, 2005, 7pm at the Bessborough Hotel for all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation (1702 20th St. W. Saskatoon SK. S7M 0Z9) and Royal University Hospital Foundation (103 Hospital Dr. Saskatoon Sk. S7N 0W8). Email condolences may be sent to [email protected]. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME. 244-5577
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Memories and Condolences
for MARCEL BALTZAN
23 Entries
Sylvia Manning
January 18, 2005
I wish to express my condolences to the Baltzan family. I am a 1964 graduate of the St.Paul's Hospital School of Nursing. I was fortunate to be a student nurse during the beginnings of the kidney dialysis procedure in the emergency department at St. Paul's Hospital.
Beth Baltzan
January 11, 2005
Mr. Gareau:
Thank you for your posting about my father and my grandfather. To answer to your question, yes, the tradition goes on - my brother is an excellent doctor, and I am a terrible golfer.
Lanny White
January 9, 2005
My deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Baltzan. Truly a great loss for the City of Saskatoon.
Jane Edler
January 8, 2005
My family would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Marc's whole family. The Baltzans have been family friends all of my life. Whether it was family vacations at their house in Saskatoon or holidays in Hawaii together I have lots of wonderful memories of him. He will be greatly missed by our family here in the States and in Calgary.
U Paul Gareau
January 8, 2005
Although I caddied for Marc's distinguished father in the 1930s at Waskesiu and knew Marc in the forties also at Waskesiu and was a classmate in medicine 1953 at McGill, I lost contact unfortunately. I wonder if any juniors are carrying on the tradition. My condolences to all the family. Paul Gareau. PS I presume you have photos of our class at McGill
John O. Davis
January 8, 2005
While I knew Mark as a Doctor and friend in my youth my best memories were of a holiday we spent together at Waskesiu many years ago, playing Monopoly with his brother Donnie and cousin Ronnie. Lord how we argued and had great fun!
Michael Davis
January 7, 2005
I would like to offer my condolences to all the family. I have many memories of Marc, as a person, not as a doctor. Having spent time together on family vacations many years ago, I remember the warmth of his hospitality and his smile. I know he will be missed deeply.
Marc Baltzan Jr for the family
January 6, 2005
Thank You
The Baltzan and Akhtar families wish to thank all those who have called, written or attended the services in remembrance of the late Dr. Marc Baltzan Sr. This immense show of kindness, consideration and appreciation has been warm, heart-felt and comforting.
We would specifically like to thank the compassionate staff and cardiologists of the Coronary Care Unit of Royal University Hospital, the attentive staff of 6 Medicine of Royal University Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing Alumni, and the professional staff at the Saskatoon Funeral Home.
Al and Marilyn Pidhorny
January 5, 2005
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Dr. Baltzan. He was a brilliant man and was very kind and caring to our family. He played a large part in the life of our son, Parnell. We will forever be thankful to him.
Christine Briscoe
January 5, 2005
I did not have the honor of meeting Dr Baltzan though know Francie well. He sounded like an amazing man and I am sure the family will take solace in the fact that his legacy lives on in so many ways. My thoughts are with you.
Christine
Trudy Pfneisl
January 5, 2005
My deepest Sympathey to the Baltzan family on their loss. As one of his many patients, I was so blessed to have
Marc as a doctor. There are no words to express my heartfelt thanks for his dedication and hard work! He has left behind a legacy and will be deeply missed, and always remembered!
Sandra Voronka
January 5, 2005
In August 2003, Francie and I travelled by bus from Calgary to Saskatoon, so that I could meet her dad and say to him, "Thank you".
My deepest sympathies to family members who will miss him dearly.
He has left a lasting mark on medicine.
Ken Hodgins
January 4, 2005
Dr Marc Baltzan was an outstanding physician and highly respected in the medical profession. About 20 years ago I received a phone call late one evening from Marc, a few years after I had left the province.He wanted my advice about who would be appointed administrator of a hospital in Saskatoon. I felt very honoured to be consulted by him and I never forgot that conversation. He was a gentleman and an excellent scholar who wrote numerous articles on a variety of topics in medical journals. My sincere sympathy to his family.
Tom and Diane McClocklin
January 4, 2005
We had great admiration for Marc and enjoyed having stimulating and informative conversations with him over the years. Saskatoon was very fortunate having him in our commun ity. We will miss him.
Parnell Pidhorny
January 4, 2005
My deepest sympathies to the Baltzan family on your loss. Dr. Marc’s honest, straightforward approach gained my respect and confidence from “day one”. The lively, insightful and often humorous conversations were always the highlight of my trips to Saskatoon. It was an honor to be a patient. He will be missed.
Lt-Col Jamie Robertson
January 4, 2005
It was so important to both Francie and I that I got to meet Marc in August. I wanted him to know his future Son-in-law.
I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the legacy he has left us all. I know his wife, children and grandchildren are extremely proud.
When you look at a person's life work and ask yourself "did they make a difference," it's pretty clear that Dr Marc Baltzan followed the creed that author Robert Byrne spoke of when he wrote, "the purpose of life is a life of purpose."
Dr Marc Baltzan made a difference and the World is richer for it.
Yvonne Pinder
January 3, 2005
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Marc. He was a great doctor who made an amazing contribution to the treatment of kidney disease in Canada. As a nurse at University Hospital I had the privilege of working with Dr. Marc during the early years of kidney transplants. To this day I remember the very dedicated care he gave all his patients. He will be missed.
Rein Lepnurm
January 3, 2005
Dr. Marc, as many of us knew him, was outspoken in his views on health economics and could be sharp on occasion; however, he was always a gentlemen. More importantly he could be, and eventually was persuaded to become sympathetic to Canadian Medicare, when the evidence suggested that the pioneers of Medicare were largely correct. In his later years Dr. Marc sought to improve Medicare through policy reforms. Dr. Marc could always be counted on to advance a cause through passionate discussion. He shall be remembered for his contributions, passionate discussions and respect for all who presented arguments with evidence.
R.Lepnurm
GLEN HIEBERT
January 3, 2005
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDDNEY PROBLEMS
Gerald Hiebert
January 3, 2005
Dr. Marc was my nephrologist for about 10 years, I grew up with Dr.Marc He was never too busy for me, I could stop into his office anytime, to discuss medical problems, or just to say hello. He was a great man and we have suffered a great loss to the battle against kidney disease. I speak for all kidney patients I'm sure when I say we will always Love you and we will always miss you.
Peter Woodrow
January 3, 2005
My thoughts and prayers to the family, Dr.Baltzan was one of my greatest teachers.
Myrna Atkinson
January 3, 2005
He will be missed by everyone who knew him. We have lost a great man. Rest in peace Dr Marc. Our deepest sympathy to his family and also to Veronica.
Myrna and Steve Atkinson, Regina Sask
Barry Deditch
January 3, 2005
There is not enough room or time to list all of the great qualities of this man. He was a good man and will be missed by so many.
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