Dr. William Stuart MADDIN

Maddin, William Stuart
(1 June 1920 - 21 May 2015)
Professor Emeritus University of British Columbia

Dr. Stuart Maddin died Thursday, May 21st at his home in Vancouver after a valiant 6 month battle to regain his health. Stuart was born in Cupar, Saskatchewan to Maxwell a pharmacist and Hannah Maddin, homemaker and proficient pie-maker. Predeceased in March 2014 by his wife of 60 yrs Betty (Stewart). Stuart is survived by son Jim and daughter Frances and their respective spouses Wendy (Trefry) Maddin and Craig Douglas, Jim's children Michael and Caitlin and Cate's husband Jordan Keon and their children Fionn and Maddox, and Francie's children Maxwell and Natalie.

Stuart was someone you wouldn't forget once you met him, he always looked good and had a million stories to tell. In the dermatology community Stuart Maddin was an icon. Perhaps he derived strength and grounding from his gritty prairie roots during the Depression and helping every day in his father's drug store. In 1937, Stuart's family left the Prairies, heading for Vancouver. Stuart attended Magee High School and Fairview Presbyterian Church where he met his future wife, Betty. Stu then went to UBC for his undergrad, made the track team, joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity but more importantly actually started the UBC Bookstore. He then moved to Halifax where he re-united with his Maddin/Andrews family relations and pursued Medicine at Dalhousie. Stu's path crossed with Betty's once again on a Valentine's Day blind date in 1946, they were married a month later. Due to his annoying dry, itchy skin, Stuart specialized in skin disease, completing his medical residency at VGH in 1947-48, followed by a stint at Shaughnessy Hospital 1947-48. Then a dermatologic residency at Skin and Cancer in 1949 at NYU, with the venerable and charismatic Dr. M.B. Sulzberger who would become one of the most influential people in Stuart's life. There he met and treated the rich and famous from Mme. Chiang Kai Shek to Katherine Hepburn and worked on the first clinical trials in the world on corticosteroids for the skin. In addition to hobnobbing with the who's who in New York he also learned to enjoy fine dining on his boss's dime. Degree in hand, Stuart returned to Vancouver in 1952 and headed up VD Control, then went into private practice with Julius Danto and his brother-in-law Bill Stewart. The 3 musketeers as they liked to call themselves were the first Canadians to write Dermatology textbooks. Never one to shy away from cutting edge technologies, Stuart began the first dermabrasion and hair transplant procedures in Canada. Later in life when most would have thought of retiring Stuart moved his office to the UBC Division of Dermatology which later became the Department of Dermatology as its know today.

He also loved exploring new ideas and delighted in sharing them. His Dermatology Update meeting concept began in the 80s and it continues to thrive and is in its 31st yr. Stuart's active career in Dermatology spanned 65 yrs, along the way he earned the title of ""Godfather of Canadian Dermatology."" He was most grateful for his more than 50-year affiliation with UBC Dermatology. (In fact today, on May 27, 2015 UBC lowered its flags to honour the passing of Stuart.) After retiring from clinical practice in the 1990's, Stuart dedicated his boundless energy and ideas to serving as Editor-in-Chief of Skin Therapy Letter (now in its 20th year), organizing the Dermatology Update symposium now in its 31st year, and contributing to SkinCareGuide.com.

Another interesting facet of his life was his role in fostering Sino-Canadian relations. In 1965, Stuart and Dr David Baltzan were among the first Canadian physicians to visit the People's Republic of China where they traveled extensively and lectured for 3 months. Stuart returned 11 times to China as a guest of the Chinese Dermatologists Association.

Throughout life, Stuart always looked distinguished and continuously set a high bar. In fact, on occasion, he was even known to suggest (not so subtly) that others should endeavour to look their best, try harder, and strive higher. He was seen as someone who enjoyed the good life and developed into somewhat of a connoisseur of fine food, good wine and became rather well-known in some of the city's fine dining establishments.

Stuart Maddin was a 94-yr old legend in Dermatology but he was equally well-known in the amateur sport community where he was president of the Dolphin Swim Club from 1957-62 and named Canadian Amateur Sports Executive of the Year in 1968. In recognition of his role in managing Aquatic Sports, he was inducted into the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. He practiced what he preached one could say; so indulging in good food didn't mean over-indulging for good old Stu who was a diligent health enthusiast, and still worked out almost daily at the gym until his hospitalization this past year.

Unfortunately, Stuart had a serious fall in London (England) December 2014 which revealed a developing B-cell lymphoma. As a result, he spent the entire month of December in University College Hospital London until Jan 6, 2015 when he was airlifted back to Vancouver, accompanied by his daughter Frances. He fought hard to regain his health, first at Vancouver Hospital in Acute Care, then he progressed to the Step down Unit and finally to UBC Hospital's Reactivation unit. He made amazing progress because of his burning desire to attend the World Congress which starts June 8th 2015 in Vancouver. Learning to use his legs and walk again was a daunting task but he was determined and tried his best. Not surprisingly, and defying all odds, he made it back home to his apartment for the final week of his life.

He was a venerable role model who was passionate about mentoring others, both professionally and personally. Stuart's genuine affection for friends, family and colleagues derived a vast network of enduring connections worldwide. He remained active professionally, driving his Porsche to the office and working until his unfortunate 2014 accident. Few people have lived such a charmed life on so many continents touching so many people as Stuart. He will be missed.

Church: Fairview Presbyterian Church 2725 Fir Street, Vancouver
Date: Saturday, 30 May 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Officiating: Dr Ross Lockhart
Stand-up reception: Royal Vancouver Yacht (access via Alma St)
Time: 1-3 pm