Tuesday, October 25, 2022
I worked with Walter when he was Chair of Family & Community Medicine at U of Toronto from 1990 to 2001. As the librarian, I did many literature searches for him especially related to his course in Evidence-Based Medicine. Walter was a pleasure to work with in so many ways - he treated everybody as an equal, fun-loving, always encouraging, grateful for work done for him, easy to talk to, open-minded, inspiring.
He will be missed! My Deepest sympathy to his family.
On the occasion of Walter's farewell party I wrote this poem for him.
Ode to a Chair Named Walter
There once was a chair named Walter
He served long at the Family Med altar
When his time came to go,
All his staff said, "Oh, no!"
"We'll surely falter, without Walter"
“You take our chair, you leave us bare”
He led us with the greatest flare
Even when h'was on the run,
Cheery, upbeat, lots of fun
A chair, a chair, beyond compare
So humble too with his trusty bike
Up all those stairs was quite a hike
Too bad about the storage room
No place for bike after the zoom
Except the loo, which didn't do
Computer-wise he's up to par
Totes his laptop near and far
Often did he try us
With his computer virus
Still, his effort deserves a star
We'll really miss those special dates
Drinking wine and eating cakes
Fun and games at Christmas time
Exchanging gifts oh so fine
The jolly Santa Walter makes
He's created much CME
EBM and CAPRE
Ursula would holler
Just bring in the dollars
Then oh so happy we'll be
He keeps up with the latest research
With the help of the auto lit search
Now he must carry on
Without his librarian
But she'll never leave him in the lurch
For his writing he is notorious
Deciphering it is laborious
His script is horrific
It's more like hieroglyphics
Only Allison can read it for all of us
The gift of the gab he does have
No loss for words has he had
Whatever the occasion
He's prepared for oration
Without his chats we'll be sad
It's time for a new direction
You go with our deepest affection
But you'll never be far to hail
Now that you've got e-mail
And can always maintain a connection
©Rita Shaughnessy, June 2001
