Dr Paul Jurgens, 1957–2017

It is with great sadness that we remember Dr Paul Cloete Jurgens (23 October 1957–6 January 2017), who died peacefully at his home in Abbotsford. Dr Jurgens’ death followed a long and gallant battle with Parkinson disease. He leaves behind his wife, Liz, whom he adored, and his children, Sarah, Emily and Ryan, all of whom made him immensely proud. He is also survived by his mother and sister in South Africa.

Paul was born in 1957 in Rustenburg, South Africa, and spent his childhood in Walvis Bay, Namibia. He attended secondary school at Rondebosch Boys’ School in Cape Town after which he qualified in medicine at the University of Cape Town. Dr Jurgens immigrated to Canada in 1987. He started out practising in the rural town of Tumbler Ridge, BC, for 8 years and was well loved and respected in the community. He treasured and took full advantage of the opportunities to experience nature and hiking in the surroundinga area.

Dr Jurgens moved to Abbotsford in 1995 where he practised in a full-service family practice, including obstetrics—which he loved—for many years. After struggling with Parkinson disease he was forced to cease practising medicine but he remained keenly interested in medicine and was an astute clinician, always.

Dr Jurgens did not give up on life but pursued his hobbies of photography and birding to the fullest extent. Paul loved people and always sought ways to be with those who were his family and friends. His birding photography was shared with and hungrily absorbed by his extensive collection of friends on Facebook and elsewhere. His patience was epitomized in his ability to spend hours waiting for the perfect action shot of an eagle or hummingbird. Paul was a great sportsman, golfer, squash player, windsurfer, and fisherman. He also loved to hike.

Dr Jurgens perfected the balance in life that many physicians need to seek but many fail to achieve. The world seems smaller without his presence among us.
—Brian John Morgan, MBChB
Surrey