Dr Alan Frederick Bond, 1926–2016

Dr Alan F. Bond died peacefully in his 91st year on 5 November 2016 in his hometown of Kimberley, BC.

Alan’s only ambition after high school was to work in Kimberley’s Sullivan Mine as his father did, and to hunt and fish in the Rocky Mountains. But a serendipitous intervention by his parish priest led to admission to St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, in 1944. From there he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, graduating with the class of ’54. Through those years Alan helped pay his way by working underground at the Sullivan and bartending at the local Elks Club.

Dr Bond began practising in Ontario with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, then worked his way west, first to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon and then to Brooks General Hospital in Alberta, before establishing a practice as a consulting general surgeon in Cranbrook near his beloved hometown.

Dr Bond had a distinguished medical career. He was recognized by his peers as a gifted and forward-thinking surgeon and by his patients as a compassionate and expert healer. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and the American College of Surgeons, and an honorary member of the medical staff at Cranbrook and District Hospital. In 2007 the Endoscopy Suite at East Kootenay Regional Hospital was dedicated in his name in recognition of his work. 

A member of the BC College for 43 years, Dr Bond served his colleagues on the ethics and discipline, administration, and complaints committees, and was registered as an honorary member. He was proud of his association with the College and was a real firebrand on the issue of medical ethics. The ideals of the Hippocratic oath were his touchstones throughout his career.

Alan also made significant contributions to the economic and social fabric of Kimberley while president of the local ski club, the forerunner of today’s destination resort.

Throughout his life, Alan was an athlete and sportsman. In retirement he traveled often to Arizona, Nevada, and Thailand. He loved to host dinner parties and was as skilled in the kitchen as he was in the operating room.

Alan leaves behind a brother, five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. His family will hold a memorial gathering in his honor on 8 April 2017 at the Kimberley Elks Club. Donations in his memory may be made to the Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund, PO Box 100, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2Y5.
—Susan Bond
Kimberley