It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Richard Nuttall at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, B.C. at the age of 81. After living 12 years with myelodysplastic anemia (MDS) he passed away surrounded by love and good care.
Survived by his wife Jane (nee Pickering) of 43 years, dear father to John (Laura), loving grandfather to Andrew and Zelia, brother to Susan Nuttall, brother-in-law to Marylan Nuttall, Judith Davies and George Pickering, and dearly missed by nieces and nephews, Jim (Kelly), Cathy (Michael), Julie (Stéphan), Sarah (Max), Suzanne (Shelley), Marc (Jyoti), Julie (Pierre), Patrick (Kim), Lindsay, Meredith (Jared), Stephanie, and extended family. Predeceased by parents James and Margaret Nuttall, brother Jim, sister Linda Welstead Lazier and son Lt. Andrew Nuttall.
He will be remembered as a gentle, kind soul, caring and compassionate, devoted and supportive to his family. An avid reader, ever engaged in world and community issues. A respected physician, valued colleague, and mentor to many. He enjoyed being a life-long student, completing numerous degrees, earning his last at the age of 72.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario he went on to graduate from the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ontario, 1961, specializing in Agricultural Economics. Rick’s interest in agriculture remained strong during his life, weaving throughout his many endeavors. He received an MBA from Harvard University, then went into Canadian Foreign Service where he worked as a diplomat posted to Ghana in 1964. As a young man, this was a treasured and exciting time but the lure of studying medicine led him to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, graduating with the 1974 class. He kept in touch with classmates and was overjoyed to attend the 45th reunion.
Returning to Canada, he worked in Ontario at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and in South River before joining the Medical Services Branch of Health Canada, initially posted to Prince Rupert, B.C. and then Edmonton, AB. At this point, he built a company where he combined and applied his business and medical expertise to a variety of innovative ventures. This was an adventurous time for many years.
For the remainder of his career, which spanned decades, Rick worked in clinical and administrative medicine, for Health Canada in Yellowknife, NWT, in Public Health as Medical Director in Regina, SK, with the Vancouver Island Health Authority, and in Victoria as a General Practitioner on Fairfield Road in Victoria, and Medical Director at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Broadmead Lodge. Rick was recognized in his chosen profession and was proud of his initiatives, including bringing medical care to remote, Indigenous and under-serviced communities. He was honoured to receive recognition for Care of the Elderly from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (2016). His medical career spanned 44 years, retiring at age 78.
During these years he completed his Master of Clinical Science, Western University, Fellowship in Family Medicine (F.C.F.P.), Master of Public Health James Cook University, and Master of Agriculture, Colorado State University. In addition, he was a long-time member of the Canadian Public Health Association, and President of the Association in NWT.
After his son’s death serving in Afghanistan, Rick became a vocal advocate for soldiers and veterans, especially in Victoria, where he led the effort to establish the B.C. Afghanistan Memorial.
He enjoyed his work, time and friendships at Cordova Bay United Church. Rick was a dedicated volunteer and supporter of For The Love Of Africa Society, playing a key role in the establishment and operation of a Medical Clinic in Dodoma, Tanzania.
Above all, Rick cherished family the most, often noting pride in his children and beloved wife.
He deeply appreciated the medical staff that cared for him over the years, especially the Royal Jubilee Hospital Medical Day Care Unit. Rick would say he was now a combination of every man and woman after receiving so many blood transfusions.
Donations in his memory can be made to the charity of your choice.
Due to constraints around COVID-19, a private funeral service was held on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021, in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens. Click on the image below to watch the service.
Condolences may be offered to the family at the link below.
McCall Gardens
45 Responses
Dear Jane & Family,
On behalf of C.A.V. (Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Units) our sincere condolences to you and your Family. We are saddened to hear of the passing of Richard. I’ve always enjoyed both of your company & my conversations with Richard over the years. He was a good man!! One of his legacy’s- the Afghanistan Memorial Monument in Victoria will always Stand tall & Proud as he was the driving force behind getting it erected! A true testament to your son Andrew’s service, The Canadian Armed Forces & Richard himself! Your Son’s service & Richard will never be forgotten!! God Bless Richard, yourself & your Family.
Barry “Brutus” Drews KStG
President 3 C.A.V. ROME Unit
Dear Jane and family,
You and Richard were so much part of our lives for over 35years. From early days on the soccer field watching the 2 Andrews, holidays at Thetis Island, Xmas Day with the “everts”, visits to our home in Penticton and many occasions on the deck of your home in Victoria. We will miss Rick so much, making each other laugh and discussing and resolving all the problems of the world. We have also shared in some very tough days together too and we always felt your support in the darkest of times.
Our thoughts are with you, call us any time you need anything and we will visit next time we are in Victoria now that Covid is almost over.
Tudor,Maggie,Andrew and Chelsea, Simon and Adele.
We were all deeply saddened with the news of Rick’s passing on May 24th. In recent weeks he had generously joined some Zoom calls with family, and we were all impressed with his positive outlook on life as he faced death full on. He did not dwell on his illness but had a keen interest in what the family was up to. He was such an important part of the Nuttall/Pickering family that extends across Canada and into several countries around the world. He will be sorely missed, but he leaves a legacy of love with all of us.
We all knew that Rick was a highly accomplished Canadian, but he always downplayed his achievements in medicine, foreign affairs, economics, business, and academia, and his extensive charitable work. Rather, for those of us in the family we will remember him as a loving brother, brother-in-law, and uncle and someone that put family and friends first.
It was wonderful to have Rick play doctor at family gatherings over the last forty years. Family events often involved someone getting hurt or ill – ear infections, sore throats, twisted ankles, pulled back muscles etc. We all have memories of this side of family get togethers with children and aging adults. Rick had an effortless ability to put the drama around these minor injuries to bed, so to speak. His bedside manner and gentle but overwhelmingly competent medical advice chased tears and infections away. It was so nice to have an in-house doctor on duty when grampa and grandma brought out the fireworks at the lake.
Rick always seemed to put family and friends first. He simply wanted to talk to us, find out how we were doing and what we were doing. He wanted to know what was new in our lives. He was so well-read and intelligent that he could engage on virtually any topic. He was always actively supportive of us, imparting wise counsel and humour in a simple and straightforward manner. We all have such rich memoires of our conversations with him
He was a beacon of light and strength with Jane and John and Laura after the tragic death of his son, Andrew in 2009. Who could imagine a more terrible event for someone they so dearly loved and who we all adored. Rick, with his family`s support, showed us what courage and duty meant. He showed us how faith can bring comfort, how to avoid bitterness and sadness to get the upper hand and how to celebrate his son`s life by living every day to its fullest.
We feel so blessed to have had him in our lives. His memory will live on through us.
To Jane, John, Laura and Rick`s grandchildren Andrew and Zelia, we hope you find comfort from our thoughts and prayers at this time.
George
Dear Jane,
Gene and I are saddened to hear of Rick’s passing. We remember Rick with great fondness during your years in West Vancouver. We have great memories of Rick watching soccer games, experiencing Cub Scout , and parent socials with us. Our son Bryce valued Andy’s friendship immensely. Rick was a good father and mentor .
Our thoughts are with you,
Gene and Sharon Quan
Dear Jane, I send my sincere condolences to you and your family at this most difficult time. He was my friend and my mentor for many years as we worked closely in the nursing home community. He was and remains one of the most ethical physician I’ve worked with. For Rick, it was always about the patient and the patient only. I’m sure that he also inspired all the physicians, and nursing staff that he worked with. One of the most difficult days I’ve had,is the day I showed up at the hospital to visit him only to find out that he had died earlier that morning.
For those of us who have worked with Rick his memory is etched in us, and he will never be forgotten.
Kindest regards from my family to yours.
Michael and Denise