Walter's Life Lessons

It is with a broken heart that I write this note. Last week, I lost a dear friend; a father figure to me. His life was remarkable. I can't begin to understand the profound impact he has had on women's health in Canada.

What I would like to share is some of the wisdom he imparted, which serve as life lessons to me.

Be Humble- I remember the first time we met. "Please call me Walter," he said. He didn't care for titles. He treated everyone with the same respect, regardless of their profession or station in life.

Be Healthy- Walter kept a regimen of daily physical activity, which kept him mobile well into his 90's. Whether it was a long walk at the lake, or a snowshoe in Muskoka, followed by body weight movements like push ups and squats, he kept his routine.

Always Be Curious- While he may have been a professor, Walter was a life-long student. He was always asking questions because he simply wanted to know more. He would ask the most remarkable questions too. About three years ago, he asked my husband, a Certified Financial Planner, about stagflation. He was light years ahead of the experts bringing this topic to the forefront. He had a voracious appetite for reading and never stopped learning.

Talk About Ideas, Not People- I never heard Walter say a discouraging word about anyone. I am sure he had his opinions about people, but he kept them to himself. Ideas fired him up. He also loved a good, healthy political debate. One where you listened to the other side of the argument to try and understand. These were often held lakeside, on the screened porch of their cottage with a good glass of Shiraz from the Barossa Valley in hand.

Spend Time in Nature- Walter was an outdoorsman. He fell in love with Muskoka long before it was the trendy destination it is now. He had the perfect j- stroke, barely creating a ripple on the water when he paddled a canoe. He was happiest in nature. He chopped his own wood well into his 80's. "It warms you three times, Susan," he would tell me, " Once when you cut it, once when you stack it, and then finally when you burn it."

Be Kind- Walter had a ready smile for anyone. He would always ask, and remember, people's names. It was important to look them in the eye, ask how they were doing and patiently wait for their response.

Be a Good Partner- Walter and his wife Mary, also a renowned surgeon, were great role models to me. They always treated each other with love and respect, even if they didn't always agree on things. They were truly life partners, bringing out the best in each other, both professionally and personally.

Eat with Gusto- Walter loved to eat. It was always pretty healthy, but he enjoyed a good meal. And he never skipped breakfast.

Enjoy The Finer Things- Walter and I shared a love for classical music. His ability to remember composers and pieces was remarkable. Rarely was I around when there wasn't music in the background, lifting your spirits.

Be Kind to Animals- Walter and I also shared a love for animals, especially dogs. Some of my favourite memories of Walter are when we were out for a hike in the woods with Victor, his most recent chocolate lab, who would trot alongside, off-leash.

Handle Every Situation With Grace and Humour- Walter had a quick wit and used it as often as possible. He never complained, just accepted life as it is and made the best of things.

And finally, he said the following, "The journey, not the destination, is what is important. The ultimate destination is identical for us all, but the journey is the story of our life for which we will be remembered. It is our legacy."

...I will remember your story, Walter. With love, Susie