Obituary of Edward Lansdown

Dr. Edward (Ted) L. Lansdown MD., F.R.C.P.(C), November 26, 1927 - December 5, 2014 It is with great sadness that the family of Ted Lansdown announce his passing on December 5th at The Briton House in Toronto after a lengthy battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. He had just celebrated his 87th birthday. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ted was the son to the late Leslie and Anne Lansdown and brother of the late Patricia Schneider. Predeceased in 2008 by his loving wife and partner of 50 years, Marlene (Musgrove), he will be forever loved and missed by his son Dr. Gordon Lansdown (Paula) of Kingston Ontario, his daughters Leanne Petroff (Neil) of Toronto and Alison Lansdown (David Plaxton) of Richmond Hill. Grampa Ted will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Alexandra and Nicholas Lansdown, Lauren, Carey and Brent Petroff, and Cole and Sean Plaxton. Remembered also by sister-in-law Peggy Danard of Surrey, BC. Ted was a highly regarded and accomplished member of the Canadian medical community. In 1958, after completing his Medical Degree at the University of Manitoba, he became a Fellow in Pharmacology and Therapeutics and then moved to Toronto finishing his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Toronto General Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. Ted then received a diploma in Medical Radiology, and certification in Diagnostic Radiology from the University of Toronto (U of T), and in 1963 was awarded an FRCP(C). From 1963-68 he was Staff Radiologist at Toronto General Hospital then moved back to Winnipeg to become Head of Radiology at St. Boniface Hospital. From 1974-84 he was Radiologist-in-Chief at Toronto General Hospital. Following his tenure at TGH he served as President of the Canadian Association of Radiologists in 1985. Ted was the author of numerous peer reviewed medical and scientific articles. Over his 45 years in the medical field he became a highly respected contributor to the scientific advancement in the field of Medical Imaging. In academics, he served as Professor and Chair of Radiology at the U of T Medical School (1974-84) and sat as Chairman of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee from 1975-79. He was treasured as a Professor and lecturer - an area of his work that he truly loved. As Chairman of the Dean's task force on student stress, he was instrumental in changing the academic and personal lives of medical students to this day. His love and passion for teaching was recognized in the establishment of the Edward L. Lansdown Award for Outstanding Teacher in the Residency Training Program at the U of T. Ted was also a life-long student himself. In 1984 he embarked on a year long sabbatical. He and Marlene traveled to Winnipeg, San Francisco and Sydney, Australia where he did further research into ultrasound practice and technology. He retired as Professor (Emeritus) from the University of Toronto in 1999 and continued as practicing Radiologist until 2003. He was a Life Member of the Ontario Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association. Ted was also a proud member of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve (1948-67) where he served as Principal Medical Officer, H.M.C.S York (1965-67) and as a Radiology consultant to the Canadian Armed Forces Medical Council (1981-87). He retired as a Surgeon Commander. As the son of a mill town doctor in Pine Falls, Manitoba, Ted grew up with a love of the outdoors. In his teen years, he spent many summers in bush camps with timber crews as a cook's assistant and a member of a survey team. In his university years he worked as a fishing guide in northwestern Ontario. Ted's appreciation and dedicated interest in the outdoors was a trait he came by honestly and one that he enthusiastically passed on to his children. On one particular canoe trip through Algonquin Park, we woke up to a September snowstorm. Quite unprepared for the change in weather, some of us were convinced we would all perish! Dad looked us straight in the eye and said with a smile, "Look at this as an adventure! What a story you'll be able to tell." With socks on our hands, we paddled back to safety. As a conservationist he was a member of Ducks Unlimited and Nut Island Farms. While at his home in the city, Dad was an avid gardener, tending to his small orchard and vegetable garden. The whole family enjoyed the bounty of his labour. Cottaging was always a part of our family life, with countless memories shared - from early years spent at Lake Manitoba, to our current summer cottage on Big Hawk Lake in Haliburton, Ont. Dad was always on the go painting and puttering. An active day was surely sufficient to earn his evening cocktail. Dad also toyed with his artistic side through photography, sketching, and oil painting. Most of his subjects were found in the great Canadian landscape. Dad and Mom loved to travel and be active. The beautiful island of Barbados was very near and dear to them. They spent many Februarys there with a tight knit group of friends from all over the world. A deep interest in his ancestral roots took them to Great Britain on numerous occasions, and they fondly remembered their riverboat cruises through Europe. Curling, at the Winnipeg Winter Club and later at the Bayview Golf & Country Club, was part of their Friday night winter ritual for years. The family would like to thank Dr. Sandra Black at Sunnybrook for her kindness and The Briton House staff for their compassionate care over the past six years. Words are not enough to express our sincere gratitude to Emma, Dad's caregiver, for her kindness and devotion. The family will be holding a private service. Friends are invited to join us to remember and celebrate Dad's life at THE DONALDA CLUB on Sunday, January 11th, 2015 from 3:00 -6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Ducks Unlimited, the Sunnybrook Foundation or a charity or your choice "In memory of Ted Lansdown", would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreysmilesnewbigging.com