Dr. Glen Harrison Lowther

DR. GLEN HARRISON LOWTHER

 On June 25th, the heart of this most remarkable man may have stopped beating but the profound effect he has had on the lives of his family, multitude of friends and thousands of patients he has cared for, continues.

 Born December 27, 1926, raised and educated in Glasgow, Scotland, this proud Scot basked in the poetry, history, landscape and music of his homeland (especially the pipes and drums). His childhood vacation spot of Tarbert Loch Fyne was his most cherished memory so much so that he continued to visit there on every trip to Scotland. After graduating in Medicine from the University of Glasgow, he spent two years in the Royal Army Medical Corps. While at University, he was the President of the Student  Union and a prize-winning debater.  

 Emigrating to Canada in 1952, he was employed as a physician at the Manitoba School, later becoming the Medical Superintendent and then the Provincial Director of all Mental Retardation Services. During his years of service in this field he has been recognized as the initiator of community residences with the first one in Canada opening in Portage la Prairie and aptly named KIN-GLEN (the “kin” for the Kinsmen Club who raised funds for the home and “Glen” recognizing the man responsible for this new development in the field). There are now literally thousands of such residences throughout Canada and the U.S.A.   After over thirty years of caring for those with developmental disabilities and providing psychiatric services for the local community, Glen became attending psychiatrist at the Misericordia Hospital where he would never hesitate to help people in need. Concurrently he worked with the Salvation Army Crisis Unit and its Mobile Crisis team providing psychiatric leadership. Unusually for the modern time, Glen was a Doctor who never considered himself to be truly off duty; he was devoted to the people in his care and would respond to their needs at any time of the day or night.   All his patients had his home phone and cell numbers.

 Glen’s private life revolved around his love for his family, travel and the arts. He made regular trips to see his brother Tony and family in Scotland and enjoyed countless vacations to visit his children and friends. He enjoyed travelling the world with his family and together they scuba dived, parasailed and surfed the oceans. He braved the camping world during horrific weather, but his favourite refuge was the cottage at West Hawk where he loved to boat and water-ski (until the age of 84!). He was an avid supporter of the Winnipeg Arts scene as a patron of the symphony, ballet, opera and the philharmonic choir. His love of music was apparent at home where he often listened to his extensive collection of classical and Scottish music. He was a voracious reader, a poet, a slayer of cross-words and a history buff. And as the President (1994), Honorary Life Member and the Bard of the St. Andrew’s Society, he was known to enjoy a wee dram or two of Scotch.

 To say Glen was a family man is an understatement - he is survived by daughter Dale (Rod Brownlee), grandsons Jamie (Salena) and Jason, great-grandsons Austin and Alex; son Glen (Mary), granddaughter Catriona and her Mum Terri Trottershaw; son Douglas. He was predeceased by their mother, Rae. He leaves behind the “love of his life”, his wife Marjorie; daughter Jennifer (Christopher Powell); grandson Spencer, granddaughter Lauren and granddog Mojo. He is also survived by his brother Tony, brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews on both sides of the Atlantic. Thank you to all the family members who stayed with Glen in hospital.

 Glen will always be remembered as a kind and giving man. In the words of one of his former patients: “We’ll miss you Dr. Lowther, you special good man; You personify grandly, “The Best of Your Clan”!

 A tribute to Glen, who was called legendary more than once in his life, will be held at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined and donations to the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg Trust Fund, PO Box 596 Winnipeg MB R3C 2J3 or the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, 100-4 Fort Street, Winnipeg MB R3C 1C4 (or online), would be greatly appreciated.

 Condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

 Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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