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Donald COLTER Obituary
Dr. Donald Reid Colter passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on October 22 at the age of 88. Don was loved by Sue, his wife of 62 years, and his daughters Jan and Barb (Dan Smith). He was predeceased by his son Don (Barb McGillivray) and his parents Casey and Ella. He was the proud grandfather to Caitlin, Layna, Dan, Sydney and Hannah and great-granddad (GG) to Colter and Charlie. He is survived by his two brothers John and Alan Colter.
Don started his career as a GP in Brooks, Alberta and finished as an orthopedic surgeon at the Royal Alex. He loved and was loved by his patients. He was a wonderful family man who loved to travel with his family, especially his wife Sue. He had many passions in his life in addition to his family and career. He enjoyed them all – hunting, golfing, fishing, hiking, music – and made good friends associated with those activities.
A Funeral service will be held at Robertson Wesley United Church, 10209 – 123 Street in Edmonton, at 2:00 on Friday, October 26.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Dr. Gerald Zetter Good Samaritan Center for their kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
14 Entries
November 1, 2012
dear family of Dr Colter..I just wanted to send my condolences to you and tell I worked with Dr colter in the Rah er and always liked him ..his manner with his patients and how he spoke of his family with pride and affection.... I had the chance to talk to him when he came into emerg a few months ago although He did not remember me I knew him and he was glad someone remembered him... He will be missed.sincerely Pat Franks
Sam Hoshizaki
October 30, 2012
Sue & family,
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Don. He was a trusted friend, golf mate and a gifted surgeon. I (Sam) was a benefactor of his skill as a surgeon over 35 years ago! I will be forever grateful.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
Respectfully,
Sam & Joy Hoshizaki
Robert Raynard
October 27, 2012
It was with sadness that I read about Dr. Colter's passing. He was a kind, compassionate man, whose relaxed, easy going nature took a lot of the stress out of the surguries he performed on my leg.
My broken femur was nailed together crooked with an obsolete device by a doctor in Calgary, so I needed Don's expertise to rebreak and reset my leg, and to repair some torn cartilege. This led to these two examples of Don's calm, unflappable nature:
1. I was teaching in a small town south east of Edmonton. When the problem of lack of an operating room arose, Don just said, "Line up a good duck shoot, and we can do it in the hospital in Daysland", and
2. When the problem of finding a tool to extract the obsolete surgical nail from my thigh bone arose, Don just said "Oh, we'll probably just sterilize a vice grip."
I have'nt seen Dr. Colter since 1984, but the fond memories of him still linger. He made the world a better place.
My condolences to his family.
Bob Raynard
October 27, 2012
We will always treasure the happy times we spent golfing with Don and Sue and with Don when Sue no longer golfed. He was always friendly and interesting. He was truly one of a kind.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family at this sad time.
Allan & Gloria Runck
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Cindy Lehman
October 26, 2012
Dr. Don, it's been 41 years since you operated on both my hips. Thanks to you I am still going strong and not in a wheelchair. Rest in peace Dr. Don and thank you for all you have done for everyone.
October 25, 2012
Dear Sue, Janice and Barbara,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved, Dr. Don, as I knew him. I have many fond memories of hunting ducks and geese with Don over the years around Bashaw, Alberta. We had some great pre and post shoot get togethers with a great bottle of rum and scotch. Getting up early in the morning to set our decoys for the up-coming ducks or geese! What a thrill it was to spend those precious moments with both Don SR. and Jr. We had several occasions to enjoy Don's company at the St. Albert Ducks Unlimited fund raising dinners over the past years. His support of DU was an integral part of his love of the outdoor. He will be greatly missed by his hunting buddies and friends alike. I was proud to be associated with such a fine man!
Deepest sympathy,
David Weir and family
Layna Smith
October 25, 2012
My kids and I were fortunate enough to have you as our Grandpa and GG. We are with everyone in Edmonton in spirit, and I am incredibly sad to miss the service. Thank you to my Grandpa's patients who wrote messages on here. He always told us great tales of practicing in Brooks and the surrounding communities, and it solidifies the memories hearing your stories. We love you GG and will miss you terribly.
Lori Schmidt
October 25, 2012
Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing Jan. I know that he was a great man and that he will be missed by many. Our love and prayers to you and your family. Lori, Allan and Tyler.
October 24, 2012
Sue and Family
We are sorry to hear of Don's passing, I am sure you have many wonderful memories to comfort you.
Peter & Pat McGregor
Katherine Koch
October 24, 2012
My sincere sympathy to Jan, Caitlin and the Colter family for the loss of your dear father and grandfather.
October 24, 2012
Sue,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your husband, Don. We came to know him through your sister, Mary, who introduced us to him. We were greatly impressed by his gentle manner and his concern for all those near and dear to him.
Art & Joan Fuller
Jane Dutton
October 24, 2012
Sue and family, I am sorry to hear of Don's passing.
Don was such a wonderful man, a master at his work and a blessing in my life. I had the great fortune to meet him professionally as he operated on my knees twice, one of the times being a very difficult job. I have been told many times since by other surgeons and physiotherapists, of what an incredible job he did....and then to find out years later that he was my dear friend Mary's brother-in-law, so paths crossed again. What a beautiful person! He will be forever remembered.
Bonnie Martin
October 24, 2012
Jan: Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your father. Sincere sympathies to you and your daughter.
Eleanor Weber
October 24, 2012
My sympathy to the family of Dr, Colter. I remember with gratitude and fondness the medical care he gave me and my family while he was a G.P down in Brooks. He was the family doctor to many of the farm families living in the communities around Brooks. He was so well liked as a doctor, and friend as well. My brother received especially kind care through challenging times. Then we heard he had a passion to extend his career to Orthopedics in Edmonton. I was a child with rheumatic fever while in his care in Brooks, but when I moved to Edmonton and married and had children, I was referred to an Orthopedic Surgeon to treat my son's foot problem back in the early 60's... to my surprise I found myself in Dr.Colters office. He remembered me and my family and many of the people around the hamlet of Iddesleigh. We had a great chat,then he sent me with a prescription to take to Wener's Shoe Store for orthopedic shoes which took care of my sons foot problem. I have warm memories of this fine doctor. I know many of his Iddesleigh patients have passed but just wanted his family to know...he was so appreciated down there. May he rest peacefully.
Eleanor (Knutson) Weber
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