Dr John Carl Harold Laudan, 1931–2013
Dr John Carl Harold Laudan died suddenly of a heart attack while in hospital in Vancouver on 14 November 2013, recovering from unrelated surgery. He was 81.
Dr Laudan was born in Milden, Saskatchewan, on 1 November 1931, the son of Dr Harry Laudan and Ethel Laudan (née Bentley). Dr Laudan received his medical training at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he received thesis honors and was awarded the degree of medical doctor in 1957, after which he interned in Vancouver, BC. Dr Laudan joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps as a captain in 1958 and served for 3 years at Fort Churchill, Manitoba. Returning to Vancouver to train as a radiologist, Dr Laudan received his specialist certification in 1965 and became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1972. He practised in Vancouver at Associated Diagnostic Radiologists for many years, retiring in 2010.
Dr Laudan was also a portrait and landscape painter, figure skater, pianist, sabre fencer, husband, father, and grandfather. In his youth he was an excellent rider and worked as a cowboy at his family’s ranch. He was an enthusiastic follower of politics and made many friends among the principals and followers of the conservative political magazine National Review, which he read attentively throughout much of his life. During an eventful lifetime he found time to be married five times, twice to Lesley—who was the love of his life. He sometimes had a gruff manner and cantankerous opinions, but also deep kindness and great humility. He never wanted to be fussed over. Dr Laudan is missed by his family and friends, and much remembered.
—Dirk Laudan
Vancouver