With daughters Shannon and Lesley by his side, our beloved Dad passed away peacefully on January 8, 2012. Ted was predeceased by wife, Thelma; sons, Robert (Bob) and William (Bill) and brother, Patrick. He is survived by daughters, Shannon/Richard and Lesley/Randy; grandchildren, Phillip/Julianne, Carmen and Joshua; sisters-in-law Evelyn and Mary and nieces and nephews.
Born in Winnipeg in 1927, Ted spent his childhood in the farming community of Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. After high school graduation he went on to the University of Manitoba where he completed Medical school. Working as an intern in Portage la Prairie one summer, Ted met our Mom ,Thelma, a golden haired piano student who captured his heart. The two were married in 1952.
Ted practised medicine in Saskatchewan and Manitoba before bringing the family to Terrace in 1956, then a rugged up and coming BC forestry town. He returned to the University of Manitoba to specialize in surgery. Upon obtaining his fellowship, Ted returned to Terrace as a General Surgeon where he had his practise until 1987. It a was a very busy and rewarding career that allowed him to come to know and help many of the town’s population. Many a time he was woken in the night to tend to an emergency and family outings were often preceded with a house call while mom, four kids and the family Saint Bernard waited in the station wagon. He was also dedicated to bringing and maintaining Mills Memorial Hospital to the highest of standards.
Ted was very involved civically in Terrace in music and education. He served on the school board for many years, ultimately as chairman. He was also on the committee that laid the foundation for the Northwest Community College. Early on, he was part of a group that brought classical music concerts to Terrace. Once on the school board he made sure a band program was created. He was also was determined to bring a fine arts theatre to Terrace. For his contribution to the school board and music in the area, the theatre was named in his honour as the REM Lee Theatre.
As for hobbies, Ted, though a prairie boy had a passion for the sea and taught himself to sail. He later had a small cabin cruiser that he navigated to Kitimat from Vancouver and where the family enjoyed many Sunday afternoons on the Douglas Channel. Both Mom and Dad had a penchant for travel, visiting Europe, Asia and Africa and encouraged us to do the same.
After Ted retired from his medical practise in 1987, he and Thelma moved to Victoria. Ted worked as a medical consultant for the Worker’s Compensation Board for five years after which he retired for good. Both he and Thelma were avid Symphony goers and took in many other musical performances in Victoria and Vancouver.
Our Dad’s’ final year was spent in Parkwood Manor in Victoria where he received wonderful care and kindness. Our deepest thanks to all of the staff.
A Celebration of Ted’s life will take place in the Spring in Terrace BC. A private family ceremony will take place to scatter his ashes at sea.
When Ted retired from practise, the REM Lee Hospital Foundation was set up for improvements to and equipment for the Mills Memorial Hospital. If you wish, donations in his memory may be made to the Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
14 Responses
Shannon, Lesley and families
we were very sad to read today of you Dad’s death. It was our pleasure to have known and worked with him for many years, Geoff as a family physician and Gayle as a nurse at Mills Memorial Hospital. We enjoyed being his colleague and learned so much from him over the years, it was sad to see him leave Terrace. He was truly the last of the great general surgeons for whom no challenge was to great and many people benefitted from this.
He contributed much more then his medicine to community for which we all appreaciate. He and you mother were also neighbours and although we did not see them often it was alway a pleasure when we did.
Our sincerest thoughts go out to all your family we know he will be truly missed.
Gayle and Geoff Appleton
your father to us was Dr.Lee,we arrived in Terrace directly from Denmark in June 1957,I had my tonsils removed two years later as a 9 year old and my sister was delivered by your dad 2 weeks later at the old hospital.We loved your dad he would come out and do house calls (my mom had 9 children) my siblings and I would be all over your dad he would just smile and put up with us.my condolences to you. You had a fine man for a father.
Dear Shannon, Leslie & families,
We are heartbroken to hear of your dad’s death. He and your mom were such good friends of ours, and even though we didn’t see much of them in later years, we always kept in touch by phone or cards. Your dad was such a blessing to this area, not only as a surgeon of distinction but also his involvement in the music and education fields. Such a busy man but always there to lend a helping hand. Memories of Ted and Thelma will live on forever in the Macdonald family. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you, and we hope that the wonderful memories you have will help to ease the pain a bit.
Murdo, Sylvia, Joe, Max, Leland & Lex Macdonald
Leslie and Shannon
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing.
I have great memories of being over at your house and your dad’s witticisms, he was a unique and special man.
You and your families will miss him greatly I am sure – hang on to the memories.
I still remember the morning after he did surgery on me as an 18 year old, his first comment to me was ” don’t be alarmed at the size of your incision – I have big hands”
I can visualize his big grin as he spoke to me.
He was an amazing surgeon in his time!
May he rest in peace.
Janis (Jefferis) Morrison
To Leslie and Shannon and families:
Working in the government office in Terrace I was aware of Dr. Lee but didn’t have a personal connection. Then in 1983 I had a referral to him and was seen a couple of times. Our paths wouldn’t cross for several years and I ran into him in Victoria where he and your Mom were standing in line to go into brunch. I went over and said “You won’t remember me but” and he replied “Sure I do, you are Roberta Barber and I treated you in 1983”. I was completely amazed at his recall and his interest.
As Terrace and the people there are close to my heart, I am forever grateful for the things your Dad accomplished for the town.
Roberta Barber
To Leslie and Shannon and your families:
It is with great sorrow that we hear of your father’s passing. Such a leader in Terrace and such a gracious host. He was tall in statue and in character. A man who attracted other doctors to seek the North and for that Terrace and area are indebted.
It was a pleasure to know him and your mother for over 20 years.
May he now rest in peace.
Olga & Hugh, Nanaimo, BC
On behalf of the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation we would like to send the family our condolences on the passing of Dr. Lee. As described above Dr. Lee was deeply involved in our community and city in many aspects.
At a “Going Away” dinner meeting in 1987, to honour Dr. and Mrs. R.E.M. Lee, Dr. Lee gave a talk on the medical situation in Terrace and the area. Dr. Lee advised that it was his dream to have a medical referral centre in the Pacific Northwest situated in Terrace as opposed to the current fragmented situation. By establishing such a centre, we would be able to attract more medical specialists and provide a better service to the community thus eliminating the need for patients to travel to the Vancouver for tertiary care. He discussed the changes in technology and the need for a C.T. Scanner and stated there could be no modern medicine without it.
From Dr. Lee’s concern for the health care in the area and the limitations of government funding, a group of Terrace business men got together who thought the would like to be in a position to upgrade some of the equipment in use at the hospital and add to new technology like a C.T. Scanner.
They concluded that the best way to solicit and accept donations from people who could see the value of contributing toward improved health care would be through a hospital foundation. The foundation would help pay for approved items of equipment and projects in which the Ministry of Health and/or the Regional District would not fund.
The Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation was formed as a non-profit society dedicated to achieving a higher level of health care in the region and administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. Its registered date of Incorporation was February 11, 1988.
Since that time the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Foundation has raised over $2.0 million for supporting Mills Memorial Hospital and Terraceview Lodge.
Todd Taylor
Chair Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation
I’m deeply sadden hearing Dr. Lee’s death. He is a great surgeon, well respected in the community and he brought fine arts and musics to Terrace . He leave a great legacy in Terrace.
Funny, my husband and I were just talking about him reminice the past serviced he did. I worked at Mills Memorial since 1968 till 2008 and during those years since her left 1987 . I knew him very well.Very calm and he brought the hospital in high standard as board of director.
Please accept my condolence. May he rest in peace.
I have many fond memories of working with Dr Lee. He was a kind and compassionate man. Please accept my condolences for your loss. He may be gone, but will never be forgotten.
I am so sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. As a long time friend, neighbour in Terrace and recipient of his surgical talents, it saddens me greatly. On behalf of myself and the remaining Graf family, please accept our sincerest condolences. He will not be forgotten.
Wilf Graf