Colin Francis LIPSCOMB
MB ChB, DPM, MRCPsych, FRCPC
September 6, 1935 – September 23, 2015
Having reached the goal of his 80th birthday, Colin died peacefully at home, as he wished, in Qualicum Beach, BC with his loving wife at his side and surrounded by his books, the hallmarks of his life. He died of complications of myelodysplasia, a blood disorder, borne with fortitude for many years.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harry Malphus Lipscomb and Louisa Angela (Mason) Lipscomb; his first wife and mother of his children, Claire Lipscomb and his cherished eldest son, John Lipscomb.
Beloved sweetheart and husband of Lorraine Peters for forty years; loving father of David Lipscomb of Frederiksberg, Denmark and Margaret (Kevin) Green of Langley, BC; proud and generous grandad of Shae Carter of Richmond, BC, Clara Lynglund of Thisted, Denmark, and Joshua, Julianne, and Jenna Green of Langley, BC; fondly remembered by Shae’s mother, Mary Carter and Clara’s mother, Hanne Lynglund Kristensen.
Colin loved and was loved by Lorraine’s family; parents, Len and Betty Peters of Chilliwack, BC; siblings and their spouses, Greg and Wilma Peters of Victoria, BC, Ken and Yvonne Peters of Brentwood Bay, BC, and Cynthia and Mark Woodward of Chilliwack, BC; dear uncle of Geoff (April Wozny) Peters, Amy (Tom) Hunter, Aaron (Brandi Harrison) Peters, Laura (David) Sak, and Rachel Peters; great-uncle of Matilda Hunter and Melia Sak. He was deeply touched by the caring and affection of loyal friends and former colleagues and will be remembered by them as a remarkable man, never to be forgotten.
Colin was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England and was raised by his much loved paternal grandparents after his mother’s death when he was nineteen days old. He attended Speenhamland School and St. Bartholomew’s Grammar School (founded in 1466) and later the University of Bristol where he studied medicine, graduating in 1959. His specialty training, beginning in internal medicine and later psychiatry, took him from Bristol to Portsmouth to Birmingham. Tales of his Uncle Jack’s adventures as a pilot in training in Canada during WWII instilled in Colin a desire to come to this country. Offered the position of senior psychiatrist at the newly established Yorkton Psychiatric Centre, he, his wife and young sons, moved to Yorkton, SK in May of 1967 where Margaret was later born. Later that year, he became Regional Director of the Centre and subsequently moved to a position at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in 1970. He retained this position following his appointment as Regional Director of the Saskatoon Mental Health Clinic in 1973. Colin taught and practised adult and forensic psychiatry and was dedicated to providing mental health services in the community. He was a respected psychiatrist, a skilled administrator, and a fierce advocate for his patients until his early retirement in 1987.
Following retirement, Colin and Lorraine moved to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island where he enjoyed the beautiful, natural surroundings of their acreage, planting many rare and unusual shrubs and trees before moving into town in 2001.
Colin considered himself a stoic humanist. He was greatly influenced by his grandfather and understood implicitly the virtues of courage, self-control, practical wisdom and justice. He was a man of reason, duty, strong convictions, and keen intellect whose passion and quest for learning never ceased. A true scholar and bibliophile, Colin had a broad knowledge of a wide range of subjects including history, Norse mythology, philosophy, religion, quantum physics, herbal medicine, First Nations studies, nutrition, biodiversity, and bohemian culture and was never happier than when he could share that knowledge with others, including his “biased opinions.” He was eccentric with a distinctive style in manner and dress, enjoying his many hats and wearing them with a twinkle in his eye.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many friends who have been so supportive throughout Colin’s illness and to the dedicated medical professionals who contributed to his care including Dr Peter Haslett, Dr Jorge Denegri, Dr Pawel Juralowicz, Dr John Atherstone, the staff of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital Medical Day Care Unit, the Home Care nurses and Home Support workers, and the staff and volunteers of the Oceanside Hospice Society. Our deepest gratitude to all of the unnamed blood donors whose contributions provided Colin with the gift of life.
A Celebration of Colin’s Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 10th, 2015 at Yates Funeral Chapel, 1000 Allsbrook Road in Parksville, BC. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, donations may be made
to the Oceanside Hospice Society, The Salvation Army, or to a charity of your choice.
“To thine own self be true” William Shakespeare
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM • (250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.