Drummond Hyde Bowden
1924-2021
Peacefully, at 97, on April 20 at Windsor Court Retirement
Residence in Fredericton. Drummond Bowden was predeceased by his
parents, Doris and Arthur, and by his wife, Joyce. He is survived by
his daughter, Jane (Douglas Vipond) of Fredericton, his son, Richard
(Melinda Upshur) of Toronto, and grandsons, Nick and Sam Vipond and
Alex and Dylan Bowden.
Born and raised in Wales, Drummond attended medical school at
the University of Bristol. He met Joyce in Bristol; they married in
1948 and immigrated to Canada in 1952. In Toronto he worked at the
Hospital for Sick Children as a pathologist and researcher before
being enticed to Saint Louis University in Missouri in 1956. He first
worked as a clinical pathologist, and later as a member of the medical
school, which allowed him more time for research. In 1964 he returned
to Canada with John Wyatt to revitalize the pathology program at the
University of Manitoba. He spent most of his career in Winnipeg as a
researcher, teacher, and administrator in the Pathology Department at
the University of Manitoba. From 1981 to 1991 he was head of the
department.
At the time the conventional approach in pathology was
anatomy-based, but Drummond believed that cell biology was a better
way to study lung injury and repair. For the rest of his career,
together with his friend Ian Adamson, he investigated lung diseases
induced by dust, with a particular interest in macrophages, the cells
that « eat » foreign invaders. Medical Research
Council of Canada grants supported the bulk of their research, which
led to many publications. Drummond retired from the medical school in
1992, but continued to lecture and work with medical schools in Japan,
Kenya, and China.
Drummond was insatiably curious, and not just about cell
biology. He was well-read and articulate. He had a strong voice and
equally strong opinions, which he did not hesitate to share.
He also loved the outdoors. In younger years, he was an avid
hiker, wilderness canoeist, and gardener. With Joyce, he established a
family summer retreat in the wilds of northwestern
Ontario.
After she died in 2001, Drummond moved across the country to
Fredericton. Well into his 80s, he served on the board of Fredericton
Heritage Trust, and was a passionate supporter of the arts—a
regular presence at theatres, music venues, art galleries, and opera
and ballet performances. He enjoyed independent living and
entertaining in his condo before adapting to Windsor Court at age
95.
His final days were spent quietly, talking with family
members, including Richard over FaceTime. He remained curious and
concerned about them to the end. On his final afternoon, Jane read to
him from Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of
Rivals and they discussed the place of Abraham Lincoln in
U.S. history. Then he had dinner and a glass of New Zealand wine
(white, dry).
The family thanks the staff of Windsor Court for their loving
care. A celebration of Drummond’s life will take place in
due course. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Fredericton Homeless
Shelters (www.theshelters.ca) would be appreciated.
www.mcadamsfh.com
19242021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Drummond Hyde Bowden 19242021..
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick