Passed away unexpectedly surrounded by loved ones, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) in Victoria B.C. He was born on May 12, 1952, in Yellowknife, N.W.T. to parents Fred and Martha Kent (deceased), who emigrated from the Czech Republic. Steve is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lise; daughter, Chelsea Pettinger (Abby and Luke); son, Joshua Kent (Jadon); brother, Perry and wife Jocelyne; sister, Linda and husband Alan (deceased), and nieces, Jamie, Christie (Jackson), and Jennifer. He is also survived by his uncle Jarka, many cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Steve attended medical school in Manitoba and, after a pediatric pulmonary fellowship in Honolulu, came to B.C. in 1981. He quickly established himself as a passionate pioneer in the realm of pediatric pulmonology. Working closely with colleagues at the BC Children’s Hospital, he was involved in launching a newborn cystic fibrosis (CF) screening program in B.C. He was instrumental in establishing Vancouver Island’s first CF clinic at VGH, giving children and their families hope for a healthier future. Steve spent 3 years as a consulting pediatrician with interest in Pediatric Pulmonology, at the Shaikh Khalifa Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. He was dedicated to his Tofino, B.C clinic and took pride caring for the children in the surrounding areas. His work as a consultant pediatrician at Willows Pediatrics in Victoria was another impactful way he engaged his specialty.
Steve was a tireless advocate for his patients, a collaborative colleague, and an extraordinarily kind clinician. As a pediatrician, he consistently worked towards improving care and services for those with CF. A major acknowledgement of this work came in 2021 when Steve was recipient of the CF Canada Dr. Douglas Crozier Award for exceptional support to individuals or families living with CF.
As a medical educator, Steve prioritized trainee awareness of respiratory diseases and conditions. He was committed to learning about new and emerging therapies and treatments for CF and was always eager to share knowledge and opportunities with the medical community, as well as the children and families he championed.
Steve had an infectious sense of humour and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He loved running, kayaking and camping with his close friends (Brian).
A heartfelt thank you to the Saanich Fire Department, paramedics, and staff at RJH. Also, a very special thank you for the loving care and kindness of the doctors, nurses and staff at RJH CCU.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Canada (in honour of Dr. Steven Kent).
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Kent” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
61 Responses
Dear Lise, Chelsea and Joshua,
I worked with Steve over several years as a member of the CF team, and with children with special needs; I worked with him as an Interpreter for the Deaf during clinic visits where a Deaf child or a Deaf parent was present. At every turn, Steve’s engagements were caring and patient.
Steve used to jog past our home at Boulderwood and Bearwood Lane for all of the years we lived there. We used to joke that there was “another Doctor Kent sighting in the hood”. He was always open to a neighbourly chat.
Steve certainly had a wry and intelligent sense of humour. I found him to be deeply caring toward his patients and their families. As a social worker, he was very open to helping find solutions to social issues that impacted families. Personally, Dr Kent was following my granddaughter from birth to her current age of six. His passing will certainly leave a gulf in her care.
Larry and I wish to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Dr Kent’s.
Larry and Janette Champagne
I worked on pediatrics for thirty years with Dr Kent, he was always friendly and approachable, my condolences to his family, he used to show pictures of his grandchildren and we had some good talks about the Canucks.
Dear Kent Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Steven Kent’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Dr. Kent was our daughter’s pediatrician in the late 1990s, and we feel truly blessed to have known him. His name continues to come up in our family discussions, as he was an incredibly understanding and compassionate doctor. As newcomers to Canada at the time, we were unfamiliar with the healthcare system and, as new parents, full of questions, concerns, and worries. Dr. Kent always took the time to explain things to us, helping us understand our daughter’s health, reassuring us, and truly making a difference in our journey as parents.
His kindness and dedication will remain in our hearts and prayers. We are forever grateful for the impact he had on our family and the many lives he touched.
Wishing you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
The Benjamin Family
Pat Taylor
My sincerest condolences to the Kent family.
Steve will be so missed by all who knew him and those who were cared for by him.
He was dedicated, kind, knowledgeable and skilled with a great sense of humour which guided us all over many years working together in NICU.
I feel very grateful to have known him.
As a family physician with an interest in pediatrics, I have interacted with Steve on multiple occasions over the last 35 years. He was always available to give advice about the care of patients in the community. We jointly looked after several patients with CF. He was a source of knowledge, calm, practical and dedicated to their care and well being.He was unassuming and had a wonderful sense of humour!He will be sorely missed.
It has been with shock and sadness that I learned of Steve’s Passing.
My friendship with Steve goes back to 1981 when he wrote inquiring about working in Victoria. He joined the partnership that I had with Basil Boulton and Jim Popkin proving a valued addition to Pediatric Care in Victoria and the Island especially in developing our Intensive Care Unit, establishing a CF Clinic and Pediatric Care generally. His cheerful and friendly demeanor meant that he got on well with Children, their families and Medical staff alike, readily accepting responsibilities in Pediatric Hospital administration. Personally we shared an enjoyment of running and participated in many formal Island Races together including a Medical Team in the annual Island Relay. My sincere condolences go to Lys, Joshua, Chelsea and extended family.
Dr. Kent supported me through many difficult times growing up with my health challenges. His care went far beyond the hospital walls—he showed up to little league baseball games and was even there to celebrate with me when I transitioned from paediatrics to the adult ward. His unwavering support played a huge role in why I’m not only healthy today, but alive. Rest easy, Dr. Kent. You made a lasting difference.
Dr. Kent has been our son’s only CF doctor since his diagnosis at just two weeks old. In those early days, he calmed our deepest fears, and over the past decade, he has provided our family with exceptional care, compassion, and expertise. We truly felt fortunate to have one of the most knowledgeable, thoughtful, and experienced CF physicians in Canada guiding our son’s care. He always made a point of asking our son about his hockey games as Dr. Kent’s grandson was the same age as ours and occasionally played against each other. We didn’t hold it against him that he was a Habs fan.
It’s hard to imagine anyone else filling the role he played in our lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones. He will be deeply missed.
I worked with Steve for many years in CF clinic and on pediatric ward. He had a hilarious sense of humor and was a kindhearted man and wonderful physician. It’s hard to believe he’s not still with us. Lise, Chelsea, Joshua and family my condolences are with you.
I met Steve in residency but my favourite memory of him was when I saw him with my infant son because my family doctor was concerned about his “peanut shaped head”.
Steve did the usual history taking and then said, “Well, let me see your head… yup, peanut-shaped… now we know why.”
I still laugh when I think about it and it’s become a bit of a favourite family story.
He will be very missed by many patients and colleagues.