Obituary of Dr. John (Jack) Luther Spencer

Dr. John (Jack) Luther Spencer B.A., M.D., L.M.C.C., M.F.P.C A grieving family wishes to announce that Dr. Jack Spencer passed away December 15, 2015 at the age of 82 years. Jack was born to Nellie and Herb Spencer on February 8, 1933 in Weldon, SK. He married Viola Jane Surerus May 1957. He attended school in Weldon to grade four. With a move to Prince Albert he continued his education at several public schools graduating from P.A.C.I. in 1951. Jack received his B.A. from the U. of S. in 1953. He was one of twenty-nine students as members of the first graduating class in medicine of the U. of S. receiving his M.D. in 1957. Rotating internship was completed at the Calgary General Hospital in 1958. His L.M.C.C. was granted in 1958 followed some years later by his M.F.P.C. He held honorary membership in the College of Medicine Alumnae Association and was a life member of the Canadian Medical Protective Association. He was a member of the Canadian Society of Aviation Medicine as well as the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In 2003 he was elected as Senior Member to the Canadian Medical Association. Jack was a designated medical examiner for Transport Canada Civil Aviation as well as for the R.C.M.P. As a member of the Sask. Medical Association he served on the Representative Assembly for many years and later on the Nominating Committee as well. He accepted an appointment as a Clinical Professor for the College of Medicine, a commitment to student education as a sort of "give-back". For some ten years he served with C.A.S.A.R.A. (Civil Aviation Search and Rescue). He was a medical consultant to Parkland Terrace Special Care Home. Jack served in various positions of the local medical district association. Recognition and awards were many. Recognition from the College of Medicine on the 30th Anniversary of the first graduating class. Awarded the Celebration Award for distinguished service by the College of Medicine on its 40th anniversary, recipient of the 50 year U. of S. Alumnae Appreciation Certificate, Plainsmen Club award in appreciation of support of the pharmaceutical industry in Northern Saskatchewan, awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal as well as the Sask. Centennial Medal. He received a long service award from the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region. Jack joined Dr. D. McCue July 1, 1958 planning to stay for a couple years. Over the ensuing years many physicians came and went. At one point he felt he was part of an "ecumenical" group -- Chinese, Jamaican, Egyptian and Canadian. Jack retired August 31, 2011. He was a passionate Canadian. The hallmarks of his life were music, dedication, compassion, commitment, faith and love. The trumpet was his instrument. He was dedicated to his family and his patients. He was compassionate to all. He was committed to his profession. His faith was steadfast. His love knew no bounds. Jack was a member of both P.A.C.I. and P.A. City Bands in his undergraduate years. For several years he was director and member of Knox United Choir, he co-founded and directed the Shellbrook Legion Band, he played the Last Post and Reveille for over fifty years at Remembrance Day Services (his tribute to soldiers, veterans and their families) and he was a member of the Prince Albert Men's Chorus, a highlight of his life. Jacks artistic talents were huge. While living in Prince Albert he spent countless hours at the Lund Wildlife Museum pencil sketching their specimens. Later, a gift of chalk pastels became his medium. He was known to draw diagrams to help patients, and staff, understand a situation and he was always drawing for his young patients, many of them proudly taking home a scrap of paper with a picture or puzzle on it. It was well known that he pulled small plastic animals out of kids ears and many came just for that. Aboriginal children and animals came to life on his easel. He is proud to know that one of his paintings hangs somewhere in Holland. His love of flying was endless. He marveled as he viewed God's wonder from above. He acquired his pilot's license and a Cessna 172. CF-UIX, and encouraged each of his sons to become pilots. As a child he recalled weekends with his father at M. &. C. Aviation where his father built Tiger Moth aircraft and where he played with aircraft controls. He initiated the development of the Shellbrook-Leask Flying Club. During his time as medical examiner for Transport Canada he began the movement for a smoke-free cockpit and passenger section of aircraft. This has now been accomplished on all commercial aircraft world-wide. His career was filled with a tireless ambition to improve the medical care of First Nations people and to help people curb their addiction to smoking. Hypnotherapy became a great tool in his efforts to ease the tobacco addiction. He co-hosted many summer " Christmas parties " for all health care and affiliated staff. Jacks community involvement was huge. He served on many fundraising projects, he was a member of the Elks Lodge, an associate member of the Shellbrook Royal Canadian Legion # 111, a member of the Board of Session of Knox United Church, a faithful member of Knox United Church, active on the beautification committee for the town of Shellbrook, served on the Theatre Committee and was an active supporter of community projects. He designed and constructed, with help, the flagpole at the south end of main street where a Canadian flag proudly flies. Jack was one of two medical students to first experience a three week preceptorship program and he vowed to embrace it into his own medical practice. Over the years about twenty medical students had the privilege to experience rural medicine as a family goes about their daily activities. They were his shadow, he was their instructor and mentor and both learned from each other. During college summer jobs were spent with his father at the CN Express. Following a back injury Jacks first year of medicine was spent in a body cast with surgery slated for early July 1954. It was during this time he fell hopelessly in love with Vi who later became his wife, his love and total soul-mate. Together they had four sons, Brent, Greg, David and Clark. He was affectionately known as Bumpy to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dedication and commitment to his patients meant he missed many Christmas dinners and birthday parties with his family. Acquiring property and building a cabin at Morin Lake brought him the peace and closeness of family and endless admiration of natures wonders. His pride in his family was overpowering and without exception. Jack is lovingly remembered by his wife, Vi Spencer; his children, Brent (Mae) Spencer and their family, Sarah, Ashley, Laura Spencer (Tom Boldick), Luke Rempel (Kayla Gariepy); Greg (Karen) Spencer and their family, Danielle (Jamie) Barth and their children, Jase and Jersy, Nicole (Matthew) Senger and Blueberry, Colby (Shelby) Spencer; David (Coreen) Spencer and their family, Victoria Spencer and Hillary (Paul) Langlois; Clark (Shelly) Spencer; his sister, Doris Sloan; his sister-in-law, Dona (Dale) Fennell; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He is also lovingly survived by all of the families' pets. Jack is predeceased by his parents, Herb & Nellie Spencer; his sisters, Rita Spencer and Dorothy Mae; his parents-in-law, Millie & Harold Surerus; his brothers-in-law, Warren (Agnes) Surerus, Gilbert (Phyllis) Surerus, and Langtry Sloan; his nephews, Leonard and Dwight Surerus; and his cousin, Patricia Holowachuk. The Funeral Service for Jack was held on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. from the Shellbrook Community Hall. Jack was laid to rest in the Shellbrook Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Jack to the Shellbrook & Districts Health Services Foundation. Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau "Lac" Funeral Home, Tammy Smart - Director (Shellbrook 306-747-2828).