Dr. W. James Knickerbocker

KNICKERBOCKER W. James It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Jim Knickerbocker on October 26, 2007. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, a dear friend and respected colleague, he will be greatly missed by many. Jim was born in Saskatoon on November 10, 1927, the fifth of eight children, and grew up in Fort William (now Thunder Bay). Inspired by an older brother's exploits as a pilot, Jim attempted to enlist several times during the Second World War, even though he was underage. Once he nearly succeeded, but his mother Nan marched into the recruiting station, pulled Jim out by his ear, and gave the recruiting sergeant a piece of her mind! Jim studied English literature at United College in Winnipeg, and received his BA in 1952. He went on to medical school at the University of Manitoba, where he met the love of his life a beautiful, smart and gracious nurse named Betty Ann Barschel. They were married in June 1954, and had four children: Nancy, Susan, Paul and Jill. Jim graduated with his MD in 1957, and the Knickerbockers moved to Hettinger, North Dakota, where he practiced family medicine for three years. They moved to Vancouver in 1960, when Jim began his internship in radiology at VGH, which he dubbed the ÃVery Great Hospital.Ä It was the beginning of a distinguished medical career that spanned four decades. He joined Vancouver's pre-eminent radiological practice at Fairmont 505, and became an acknowledged authority on skeletal radiology. He was one of the founders of the Bone Tumor Group. Jim was a leader in his profession, serving as president of the Pacific Northwest Radiological Society and as president of the Canadian Association of Radiologists. He was also appointed to the International Skeletal Society. As director of the Department of Radiology at the University of B.C. Hospital, Jim enjoyed the opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth at the inauguration of Western Canada's first MRI machine. Jim loved spending time at the cabin at Cultus Lake and on the beach at Napili Kai. He was an avid player of bridge, poker, crib, and all sorts of board games. He enjoyed sailing, skiing and tennis, but golf was his favorite sport from childhood. Later in life, he delighted in besting the grandchildren at mini-golf. Jim's greatest joys were times spent together with his children as they grew up, and then later on with his children-in-law and beloved grandchildren. He was frequently known to proclaim that being a grandpa was the greatest thing on Earth. The tragedy of Jim and Betty Ann's life is that they were predeceased by their darling daughter Jill, who died in 1965, of leukemia, at age 3. Jim is survived by his beloved wife Betty Ann; daughters Nancy (Chris) and Susan (Dieter); son Paul (Sharon); grandchildren Jesse (Liana), Jenna (Keith), Maddie, Connor, Jamie, Max (Stefanie) and great-grandson Cooper. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 West 33rd Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be greatly appreciated. Please share your memories by writing to birdie@morewave.net