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Dr. Glenn Owen Bowlsby

$13,411.00 (raised so far)

About Dr. Glenn Owen Bowlsby

Dr. Glenn Owen Bowlsby, born May 6, 1958 in Vancouver, BC, passed away on July 28, 2020. Glenn attended Shaughnessy Elementary, Prince of Wales Secondary, and the University of British Columbia where he earned his medical degree in 1983.

As a husband, father, brother, and uncle, Glenn was loving, kind, and selfless. He cared for countless individuals as a family physician in Surrey, Kerrisdale, and the Downtown Eastside, and as medical director of Point Grey Private Hospital. Glenn was greatly admired and respected by his colleagues and ancillary staff, as well as the students he mentored as an assistant professor at UBC. His unwavering friendship and keen sense of humour were enjoyed by all.

Through tireless devotion, he played a key role in the founding of the Kílala Lelum Urban Indigenous Health and Healing Cooperative – a partnership of Indigenous Elders and health professionals providing essential care in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside – which Glenn considered his greatest achievement and for which he was conferred the degree of Primus/Prima Inter Pares by the Vancouver Medical Association at the 2017 Osler Dinner. He faced cancer with his characteristic tenacity and wit, and lived his final months with grace and dignity.

We mourn the loss of this exceptional man, but his spirit lives on in and around his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched. Glenn was predeceased by his parents Ursula and Cleve Bowlsby. He is survived by his wife Janet, son Scott, brother Jeff (Barb), and niblings Nikki, Lauren, Laura, Claire, Julia, and Nicholas.

The family extends a special thank-you to the doctors and staff of the BC Cancer Agency, to the homecare nurses, and to Glenn’s family physician, Dr. Janet McKeown.

Although current public health restrictions limit an open celebration of life, close friends and family are invited to a special ceremony at Kílala Lelum (date and time to be announced).

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The impact of your support

To honour Dr. Glenn Bowlsby and in recognition of his dedication to the well-being and care of the Indigenous community in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the family and friends of Dr. Glenn Bowlsby will be establishing a fund or award in his name. Final decisions on the fund or award description will be made in consultation with UBC Faculty of Medicine.

Messages of Remembrance

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  • It was our serendipitous good fortune to gain this man, who was not only a fabulous doctor, but a much needed credit to the human race as our care giver many years ago. He was as patient centered as anyone could be and his kind attention to detail may well have saved my (Jim) life 16 years ago. On a last visit for a check up Glenn discussed his plans for a future semi-retirement, and if anyone deserved it he did. We viewed him as our friend as well as our physician. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. September 25, 2020 Jim & Lynne Howden

    Jim & Lynne Howden, Patient
  • The day I met Dr Bowlsby over 2 decades ago he was working at Khatsalano walk-in clinic on Broadway. He walked in wearing a very sharp professional lab coat that came equipt with a pen protector and several coloured pens very carefully placed. He walked into the room, sat on his chair, crossed his legs, looked me in the eyes and said ‘Hello Michelle my name is Doctor Bowlsby, how are you?’ From that moment on he was going to be my forever doctor. He was the best doctor ever!! I am very sad to hear of his passing and my condolences go to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Thank you Dr Bowlsby for taking such good care of everyone who’s lives you touched. May you rest peacefully

    Michelle Soucker, Patient
  • An enormously funny, brilliant and generous man has passed. Getting to work with Dr. Bowlsby was an absolute joy and I will forever carry his memory. Glen was off the chain funny and loved to make all us laugh! Even I was shocked at some of things he blurted out. LEGEND. It made working in a very tense situation that was often times tragic, fun. He made me believe in myself, and treated me like a valuable member of the team. Providing care to the people in the downtown east side (Vancouver BC) was his passion and his legacy will continue for generations. My deepest sympathies to everyone who loved him.

    Darryl Delorey,
  • I started working as a physician on the DTES in 2010 and Glenn is one of the first people I met at Vancouver Native Health. He was so welcoming and patient with me as a newcomer to the clinic and really helped me get on my feet in terms of providing care in this community. I learned so much watching him model compassion and kindness with his patients and I've strived to incorporate those lessons in my own practice over the last decade. Glenn has been one of the most significant mentors in my career and I can't thank him enough for both the incredible impact he's had on his patients and the community of the DTES, but also on learners and junior colleagues. His legacy of humour and care will continue for years to come. Glenn - you are missed.

    Laura Knebel, Colleague
  • I was a patient of Glenn's for many years and I will sorely miss the attention he gave me and I am sure all of his patients. He always had time to listen and his calm manner and good humour were much appreciated. I guess many would say he was old school in the way he cared for patients. He was a wonderful doctor and I am so sad to see that he was not able to live to enjoy the retirement he had planned.

    Michael English, Patient
  • Dr Bowlsby was our family doctor for over 15 years. In that time, he gave us expert, knowledgeable medical care, and sage, thoughtful, kind advice. He was a wonderful, gifted doctor and undoubtedly knowledgeable. When our son was sick a few years back, presenting with unusual symptoms, it was Dr Bowlsby who correctly diagnosed what was wrong, confounding the teams at Children’s. He always took the time to listen, and then to talk, to explain, reassure and advise. A visit to him was a tonic in itself, and we always felt better just for having talked to him. It was very clear that he really knew and cared for each of his patients, for our concerns, our lives as well as our health. Dr Bowlsby was that rare human being, one who really cared for other people; he was full of compassion and kindness for others. We were aware of his work in the downtown eastside and that confirmed that his kindness included everyone, from all walks and stations of life. We’ve been privileged to have had Dr Bowlsby in our lives and we miss him very much indeed. Our deepest condolences to his family.

    Jane McCarthy, Patient
  • Dr. Bowlsby, Glen was my GP for over 15 years. His kindness and humor will always be remembered. He always had a kind word and he cared for each and everyone of his patients. He was a fantastic Doctor and I miss him greatly. He was one in a million. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

    Ken Shymka, Patient
  • There are only a few times in a lifetime are you fortunate enough to know a person as special as Glenn. His integrity, compassion, his quick mind and sense of humour are only a few of the memories I have of Glenn. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Janet, Scott and his entire family.

    Jacqueline Ryan, Friend and colleague
  • Very few people are gifted with Glenn's quick wit and acerbic humour. Fewer still are able to steadfastly maintain a clarity of thought, loyalty and integrity while negotiating life's challenges. Glenn, you will forever be a beacon of inspiration.

    Maria, friend
  • Dr B. taught me so much while working in the Kerrisdale Clinic as a very green medical administrator. He was a mentor and friend. His level of compassion and care is unmatched.

    Cristina Weiss, Friend and Colleague
  • Glenn started out as a colleague and quickly became someone very special to me and my family. He always had words of wisdom for me, or a joke when I needed a laugh, or a shoulder when I needed to cry. When I found out I was having a baby he instantly became Grandpa B. I am honored to have had him in my life and in my sons, and to have gotten to know him as well as I did. There really are no words to describe just how amazing he was, and he will be missed immensely. I will forever strive to be as kind and generous as he was. Glenn you will forever be Grandpa B and we will never forget you!

    Natalie, Friend
  • I am much saddened by the passing of Dr. Bowlsby, who had been my family doctor since I moved to Vancouver 20+ years ago. I am particularly sorry that, as a result of some scheduling issues, I was unable to see him last summer for my annual check-up (and conversation). Dr. Bowlsby was a caring doctor and a wonderful human being. He will be missed by all.

    Leo Shin, Patient
  • Glenn was one of the finest physicians and human beings I have had the privilege of knowing. He had an extraordinary gift of making everyone feel they deserved his genuine undivided attention, and was unfailingly generous with his time, knowledge, wit and support. I am forever grateful for his friend- and mentorship. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and patients - he is very dearly missed.

    Katrin Lovett, Friend and colleague
  • I also was a patient of Dr. Bowlsby for over 20 years. He was always very kind and compassionate, very ready to take the time to explain the situation. He diagnosed my heart condition, and saw me through my recovery from surgery. I will miss him very much. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

    Dave Berghofer, patient
  • Dr. Bowlsby was my G.P. for more than 20 years. He always made time for me and was very encouraging. HIs sense of humour was appreciated as was his terrific attention to detail. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Nancy Butler August 22, 2020

    Nancy Butler, Patient
  • I worked with Glenn for many years in Surrey Emergency. He was such a lovely Doctor, so kind to patients and staff. The nurses loved him and we really missed him when he moved on. He was so easy to work with, his sense of humor and knowledge was legend. He will be so missed by family, friends and patients.

    Elaine Belliveau, Colleague
  • Glenn and I were originally rivals vying for top marks in science classes at Prince of Wales high school. We became friends as undergraduates at UBC and I always appreciated his taste in music and clothes. Being the smarter of us, he entered medical school the year before I did so we went our separate ways. I did briefly work with his brother, Jeff, in Tumbler Ridge. Over the years we both practiced in the lower mainland so crossed paths occasionally and shared patients. My condolences go out to his family at this difficult time. He will be missed.

    Emelie Hoyer, Friend and colleague
  • Dr. Bowlsby was my G.P. for nearly 30 years. He listened, he was compassionate, he truly cared about each of us. It was an honour to be one of his patients. I always felt cared for when I went to see him. Although I am sure his daily schedule was very demanding, he always made me feel that I had his complete attention. Always with his quiet smile -- as in the photo, and words of encouragement. My heart goes out to his family. My husband died this past May, from cancer, and I know the emptiness. Be comforted that Dr. Bowlsby was loved, that he provided care for so many, and that we will all miss him.

    Kathleen Anderson, Patient
List of Donors
All Donors
  • Anonymous Donation

  • David Schweitzer

  • Anonymous Donation

  • Anonymous Donation

  • Peter Seixas and Susan Inman

  • Patrick Scully and Martha McCoy

  • Dana Cserepes

  • Terry S. Neiman

  • Anita Racic

  • Minshu Mo

  • Margery Duda

  • Tamara Brown

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