HENRY B. DINSDALE, CM, MD, FRCPC, FACP, FRACP, FRSA, Hon. FRCP. Sept. 22, 1931 - May 30, 2023.
'Buppy,' as he was named by his grandchildren, graduated from Queen's School of Medicine in 1955 and trained in neurology at the Maudsley Hospital, the National Hospital, Queen's Square, London, and the Harvard Neurological Unit before returning to Queen's University, where he was professor, head of the department of medicine and associate dean for research. He was equally passionate about teaching, research and patient care. He loved making a difference and raising standards - and did both.
Henry's vast contributions to medicine were recognized by his membership in the Order of Canada. He served as president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Congress for Neurological Sciences, as well as being a founding member and president of the National Council on Ethics in Human Research. He held executive roles at the Medical Research Council of Canada and the American Academy of Neurology. He was also a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of South Africa. As he said, 'all of that has been most invigorating, but nicely balanced,' which it was with June, his partner of 67 years, known to all as 'Bran'.
Together, Bran and Buppy were enthusiastic world travellers, lovers of the arts, annual hosts of friends and family in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and summer residents of their beloved cottage on Little Cranberry Lake. Henry was at his happiest spending time in his garden, paddling his vintage Peterborough canoe, telling stories around the Sunday dinner table (occasionally exaggerated), reading to his great-grandchildren and being the centre of any family function.
The world changed with the arrival of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, leading to his starring role in life as Buppy. He is dearly missed by children, Janyce MacDonald (John Colden), Scott (Jennifer, Sandi), Henry (Diane Wherrett) and Martha Thomson (Anthony); grandchildren, Kate MacDonald (Brandon Law), Sarah MacDonald (Ben Curtis), Lizzie MacDonald (Jonathan Ludwig), Morgan Dinsdale, Taylor Dinsdale (Trevor Morgan), Maddy Dinsdale, Ben Dinsdale (Maddy Godin), Emily Thomson (Jesse Topley); and great-grandchildren, Cedric, Angus and Malcolm Law. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Doris Dinsdale of Peterborough, Ont., and brothers Jack and Sidney.
Should you wish to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Dr. Henry B. Dinsdale Lectureship at Queen's University (Office of Advancement, Faculty of Health Sciences, 613-533-6000, Ext. 78422). An online book of condolences is available on the Robert J. Reid & Sons Funeral Home website.