Obituary of Kenneth James Woodman

WOODMAN: Ken passed away peacefully on October 8, 2010 at Fairview Home with his family at his side. Ken was born in Winnipeg on February 11th, 1930 to Walter and Jean Woodman. He grew up in Fort Frances, Ontario and spent as much time as possible at the family cottage on Rainy Lake. Ken completed high school in Fort Frances and then followed his older sister Evelyn, into medicine. He had two years of pre-med studies at the University of Manitoba under his belt when he qualified to serve in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. Following a summer posting on the Rhine in 1954, he returned to Winnipeg to complete his medical studies and to marry Norma. Ken and Norma were married on Dec. 28th, 1954. Ken received his MD in 1956 and Dr. Woodman spent three years at a busy family practice clinic in Fort Frances. Drawn to Internal Medicine, he undertook four years of postgraduate training to earn credentials in that specialty. Ken's next move took him to the Brandon Clinic. During his 13 years in full-time practice at the Clinic, he served on its Management Committee, and as Medical Staff President at the Brandon General Hospital. By 1977, Ken had developed an interest in Dermatology, which he decided to pursue at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In 1982, he qualified in that discipline as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. Ken acted as visiting dermatologist at Southland Hospital in New Zealand for 2 years. In 1992, he returned to the country for a 3-month locum. In 1993, he took to the seas with Norma for four months as Ship's Doctor serving passengers and crew for the Norwegian Cruise Line. Between 1994 and 1999, as often as six times each year, he replaced family practice physicians in underserved and remote areas of Manitoba. Ken loved flying and piloted his own plane for pleasure and business for a number of years. He took great interest in following the trends in automobiles and aircraft. He enjoyed traveling with Norma and in walking the Assiniboine River Valley and the Brandon Hills with Norma and the family dog. Ken was predeceased by his parents, brother Walter, and sister Evelyn Fox. He is survived by his wife Norma and their six children; Patti (Dick), David (Margie), Jim, Bart (Debra), Sharon (Marc), Susan (David) and fifteen grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. A service was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral on October 13th, 2010. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Ken can be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, "Western Manitoba Cancer Care Program," 150 McTavish Ave. East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3.