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
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61 Responses
We are so devastatingly sad to hear of Dr Kent’s passing. Dr Kent was the CF physician at the pediatric clinic in Victoria to our two boys, Steven and Mitchel. He was our advocate and support during some extremely difficult times. I’m not sure our boys would be alive today, without his care and passion. We are eternally grateful to Dr Kent and send our love to his family for healing hearts.
So sorry to hear of the death of Dr. Kent. He was our child’s current paediatrician and we feel fortunate to have had his excellent care. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Gary and I trained with Steve as interns in 1991, and since have shared and cared for many patients together. He was so compassionate, empathetic, knowledgeable, and sensible that we all loved working with him. He will be greatly missed by many many people.
When I was a young, freshly minted first year resident doctor, thinking of switching into Pediatrics, some of the fun ‘everywhere all over the hospital’ work I did with steve helped me cement my choices, and he wrote me a reference letter, let me add on extra time through that fun exhausting intern year whenever I wanted, and welcomed me back in senior resident years for an elective. He showed the way in creating a generalist pathway, with work in so many areas, and I always loved his calm equanimity. Steve never talked about his stress, things were never hectic, the work was just the work, get it done , no fuss, no muss, leave things better than u found it. We looked after a young girl together in her last year of life, it was an impressionable time, and steve again showed the way as to how to care, be empathetic, do the right thing at the right time, and also preserve your time, your family, your other interests. Harry has great memories of the heart steve brought to doctors hockey games. I recall in detail the day steve felt the chatter was getting too much at the department meeting and calmly reigned us all in with a ‘cow bell’ chime from his phone, a wry smile, and a ‘let’s get the stuff done’ mentality. We current pediatricians owe a huge debt to the people that came before, the space created, the services demanded, the relationships forged…. Our deepest sympathy to Steve’s family, nothing mattered as much to him. And given how many things really mattered to Steve, that’s saying a lot. Thinking of all who will come together to remember, I am sorry we cannot be there,
We were so deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s recent, sudden passing. He was such a good person, someone we always hoped and expected to see again in this life. He was such a blessing to us from when we first moved to Abu Dhabi and met your wonderful family there. Deep, heartfelt gratitude to you, Lise, that in the midst of all that you have been going through, still you thought to notify us. Our hearts go out to you, Josh and Chelsea, and all the family. We mourn with you all upon learning of the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather, and our treasured friend, Steve.
Steve’s sudden tragic passing was a shock to our neighbourhood on the Rise. My sincerest condolences to Lise and the entire Kent family at this grievous time.
We are devastated to hear of Dr. Kent’s passing. He was our son Connor’s pediatrician since a baby. He was the best doctor you could ask for: knowledgeable, compassionate, and approachable. We will miss him greatly. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Connor Yu and family
On hearing of Steve’s passing, everyone in our office was aghast. We have all been touched by Steve, as a colleague, a friend, and physician to our practices and our own children. He was always reliable, dependable and confidence inspiring in a quiet and unassuming way. Steve didn’t hesitate to take a call about a patient and always went the extra yard to help out. Steve played a role in caring for our preemie twins, Erin and Adam – they were in great caring hands and are now healthy wonderful adults because they got the best shot at life at the beginning. He truly exemplified what it meant to be a Physician, providing excellence in care with a human touch. Steve, thank you.
De notre famille à la vôtre Lise, nous vous tenons proches de nos cœurs et que nos prières et sympathies les plus profondes vous entourent tous toujours.
Jocelyne et Michelle Couture
Our deepest condolences to Dr. Kent’s family. Dr. Kent looked after my daughter when she was little, she was tested for CF and it was negative, Dr. Kent was very compassionate and caring. He looked after our daughter up through her teens for her asthma and really made a difference in her wellness. WE are very grateful for his help and care.