Dr. Ashley Edwin Thomson

June 6, 1921 - January 12, 2013

DR. ASHLEY EDWIN THOMSON Dr. Ashley Edwin Thomson, F.R.C.P. (C), Professor Emeritus, Medicine University of Manitoba, beloved husband of the late Muriel B. Thomson, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 years on January 12, 2013 at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ashley was born in Regina, SK on June 6, 1921 to Edwin Ernest Thomson and Mary Ashmore Thomson (nee Walker). He was predeceased by his brother Donald Thomson. Ashley spent his early years on the family farm, just outside of Sintaluta, SK, with his favourite pets, a carriage horse named Chummy and Towser the English Sheepdog. He went to grade school in Wolseley. That involved taking the train and staying with his grandparents during the school week. He later attended school in Assiniboia. Ashley's path into medicine was part circumstance, part fate. His initial goal was to study Mathematics, but finding it unavailable, he pursued Biology, with a French minor.

He first attended Regina College, then completed his B.A. (pre-med) at the University of Saskatchewan. Owing to the outbreak of the Second World War, a medical degree program was not offered locally, so with just enough money for train fare he travelled to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1945 at the top of the class. Choosing to do his residency in surgery, he was awarded the Chown Prize in Surgery in 1945. Interested in cardiac research in an era of limited technology, Ashley found that he lacked the specialized equipment to carry out his work. The University of Manitoba's Clinical Research department sent him to Philadelphia to look at a new machine, and upon returning Ashley recruited help from a machinist and an electrical engineer on staff at the university to build his own blood pressure monitor. The resulting study earned him his Master's Degree in 1946. From 1949 to 1951 Ashley worked in Manchester, England, on a travelling fellowship from the National Research Council of Canada, at the Manchester Royal Infirmary under the direction of Professor Robert Platt (Clinical Investigation). Of the over 30 publications to his credit, those from this time period stand out and were very highly regarded by his peers.

Returning home to Winnipeg Ashley found himself working under the direction of Dr. Joe Doupe who was a major influence and mentor in his passion for clinical investigation. He served as Director, Clinical Investigation Unit DVA, Deer Lodge Hospital from 1951 to 1959. At the same time he became an Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology and Medical Research for the University of Manitoba. It was one of many appointments as a Professor in Medicine, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, culminating as Professor Emertius in 1990. Ashley's work for the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) was to treat mainly ICU patients with acute renal failure. At the time no dialysis machines existed in Manitoba. Undeterred, he built his own in 1954, and in 1957 / 1958 the first Hemodialysis in Manitoba took place, followed by the Chronic Dialysis program in 1963, Central Dialysis Unit Health Sciences Centre 1967, Transplant Program 1969, and Home Care Dialysis 1972. In 1969 Ashley was instrumental in the formation of the Manitoba Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Through all the years, coffee with the crew from the Kidney Foundation remained a regular event dear to his heart. Ashley's legacy is reflected in his patients. He was able to provide others with a new lease on life. Many of his former patients enjoy full lives today; some after as many as 35 years post-transplant. Although Ashley retired in 1984, he remained active and until recently, attended rounds at Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospitals.

To his children their father was a carpenter. Ashley was always busy building something; working on the cabin, building furniture, sailboats for adventures on Lake Winnipeg, and later, dozens of wooden toys for the grandchildren. He loved to take his family on all sorts of adventures; canoe trips, camping trips, cross country skiing, skating, and tobogganing. In the more than 60 years Ashley shared with his wife Muriel they travelled to the four corners of the world, often as ambassadors for People to People - an educational program that reached out to developing nations. While visiting China in 1989, they were turned away from Tiananmen Square shortly before the infamous riots began. Other memorable trips were to U.S.S.R, South Africa, and all the way down the Alaska Highway, long before it was paved. Now Ashley and Muriel are together again, and can continue their journeys. He missed her dearly. Family left to mourn his loss include his seven children - Lynne (Roz), Alison (Tony), Janice (John), Ian (Sarah), Scott (Kim), Gwen (Jerry) and Merrill, together with their families including 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Ashley will also be missed by his loving sister Ruth Clay of Victoria, BC, her children and their families, and his brother Don's children and their families. Over his long career, Ashley was an important part, both professionally and personally, of the lives of many medical staff, students and patients. Over the years, frequent celebrations were held both at home and at the family cottage. Ashley was always up for a party, the most recent of which was his 90th birthday celebration. He greatly appreciated each and every friend and colleague who visited or sent him well wishes over the last six months.

One of Ashley's goals was to set up a fund to support experienced researchers with relevant projects in Manitoba. Flowers are gratefully declined but you can help perpetuate Ashley's passion for ongoing investigation by donating to the Winnipeg Foundation, Kidney Foundation of Canada, Manitoba Branch, Endowment Fund in Honour of Ashley Thomson . Grateful thanks to the staff at the Health Sciences Centre who cared for Ashley while he was in hospital. Special thanks and appreciation to the caregivers from Home Instead, who also looked after Ashley with the utmost love, care and compassion. Immediate family will gather privately to celebrate Ashley's life at a later date. Cremation has taken place. "He is like the wind. You cannot see him - but you will always feel him." Husband, Father, Pioneer