Dr. Raymond HEIMBECKER

HEIMBECKER, Dr. Raymond,
M.D., FRCS, O.C.
On February 13, 2014, Dr. Raymond Heimbecker, M.D., FRCS, O.C., died peacefully at home in Collingwood, Ontario. Ray received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1944. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toronto in 1947. He also received a Master of Arts in physiology and a Master of Science in surgery. A pioneer in cardiovascular surgery he performed the world's first complete heart valve transplant in 1962 and Canada's first modern heart transplant in 1981. He became a Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Surgeons of Canada, the American College of Surgeons, the American Surgical Association, the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Chest Physicians. In 1974, he was an obvious choice to become the first Professor and Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery in the new University Hospital in London, Ontario; both experimental and clinical work in the hospital flourished under his direction. In 1997, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for being "at the forefront of his specialty, developing advanced techniques for heart surgery and assisting in the first human heart valve transplant". In 2002, he was awarded the Order of Ontario. Raymond is predeceased by his wife Kathleen; with whom he spent many happy years residing in Canada and the Bahamas, together supporting various charitable endeavours. Outside of his career Ray loved the outdoors; spending time in the mountains hiking, and many hours sailing in the Bahamas; both landscapes were an inspiration to him as an artist as well. He is survived by his children Raymond Jr. of Vermont, Kathleen Mooney of Kelowna, Anita Gilray of Wiarton and Connie Heimbecker of Kelowna and seven grandchildren; predeceased by his son Harry Heimbecker. A Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at All Saints Anglican Church, 32 Elgin Street in Collingwood. Spring Interment at All Saints Anglican Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pat's Place c/o Family Services Toronto (www.familyservicetoronto.org) or Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Friends may visit Dr. Heimbecker's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com.