Dr. Robert “Arnold” Burden MD CM
1922-2018
It is with sadness that the family of
Dr. Robert Arnold Burden announces his
passing. He died peacefully on Saturday, March 17, 2018 in his
ninety-sixth year with his loving wife Helen at his side. He left with
courage and dignity knowing that he was deeply loved by his
family.
Arnold was born in Springhill on April
28, 1922 and lived there for most of his
life.
When not caring for his patients or
performing his duties as Chief Medical Officer for the Springhill
Institution, he enjoyed many activities, but times in the woods and on
the waters around Nova Scotia were always his favourites. His love of
nature was often depicted in his artworks.
A passionate storyteller, he savoured
the opportunity to share his many life adventures with a willing
audience. This developed into a later life interest in writing and
resulted in his book – Fifty Years of Emergencies: The Dramatic Life
of a Country Doctor.
Arnold was an avid stamp collector and
artist. He also enjoyed genealogy, reading, gardening and most
recently a simple drive in the car with no destination in
mind.
Arnold was married to Helen (Dewar), his
best friend and the love of his life on August 4, 1948 and they
enjoyed 70 wonderful years together. Arnold is survived by Helen; his
sister Audrey; (Fillmore), and sons Bill (Sue); Kent (Sharon); David
(Charlene) and Tim (Marie). Fondly remembered by his grandchildren
Katherine, Bradley, Jane, Jill, Nicholas, Matthew, Emily, Sarah, and
Jennifer; and four Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his
parents George Clement “Brownie,” Mary
“Mayme” Pearl (O’Rourke), and his step
mother Mildred Leah (Amon).
Arnold was educated in the Springhill
school system and completed his High School at the Cumberland County
Academy in Amherst. He enrolled in the Royal Canadian Army
Medical Corps in January of 1941 serving in England, France, Belgium,
Holland, and Germany. He was posted to the No. 7 Canadian General
Hospital, which was the first Canadian hospital to land on Juno Beach
after D-Day. He was released from the military in December of 1945 and
later became a Captain in the Militia.
Upon completion of his military service,
he obtained his medical degree from Dalhousie University (1952) while
working summer vacations in the Springhill mines. He loved medicine
and practiced as a doctor and surgeon for almost 50
years.
Arnold was also very proud to be a
“Springhiller” and fondly recounted how the miners
had looked after and protected him ensuring his medical skills would
be available to those in need. Arnold never forgot his friends who
toiled in the mines and how they helped ensure he was able to obtain
his medical degree.
He cherished this bond and was
tragically forced to come to the aid of his friends on more than one
occasion. In 1956, an explosion rocked Springhill’s No. 4 mine. Arnold
was the first doctor to go underground, making three trips, barefaced,
to help in rescue operations. Following the No. 2 Bump in 1958, he did
it again, spending a total of 33 hours underground. Many of his
friends were among the 114 men who were killed in the two incidents.
The devastating impact of these events on the community led to him
staying in Springhill to help his community rebuild.
Having grown up in a mining town during
the depression, it was the simple things in life that he never took
for granted. He would often comment on how fortunate and thankful he
was. Above all, Arnold was absolutely devoted to his wife and sons. He
was a father who always involved himself in his sons’ lives
and supported, respected, and loved his wife unconditionally. He was a
man of strong and quiet faith, believing in the power and strength of
Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would
await him after his passing.
Arnold always cared for people and had a
passion for serving his community. Throughout much of his life Arnold
quietly performed many volunteer hours with various organizations.
These included the Canadian Cancer Society, St. John Ambulance,
Cumberland Mental Health Association, Rotary Club, Royal Canadian
Legion and Boy Scouts. Arnold was well known and respected in his
community. He was a Springhill boy of the Greatest Generation and
placed the needs of others before his own.
He became Chief of Staff at All Saints
Hospital and contributed to numerous medical boards and committees. He
was a member of the Cumberland Branch of the Nova Scotia Medical
Society for over 30 years and in 1987 was awarded Senior Membership in
the Nova Scotia Medical Society for outstanding service to medicine
and the community. He was appointed to the Board of Maritime Medical
Care for 14 years; eleven of which were on the executive committee
where he held various positions including both Vice President and
President.
Arnold was a gentleman and gentle man
who used his abilities over a lifetime to serve his country and
community. In recognition of his efforts he was appointed to the Order
of Nova Scotia, received the Caring Canadian Award and was honoured by
France as a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of
Honour. He was a lifetime member of both the Royal Canadian
Legion and the Rotary Club. This work lead to him being awarded a Paul
Harris fellow for his support and dedication to the Rotary
Children’s and Polio Clinics and other efforts in support of
physically disabled children.
Arnold lived a full life with a
compassion that ensured he would be remembered by more than words, but
for a legacy of caring for others and his community. He once mentioned
in a television interview, he hoped to be remembered as “a
pretty good fella”.
The family would like to extend a
heartfelt thank you to the medical teams at the Springhill and Amherst
hospitals and Gables Nursing Home for their care and compassion. The
love and care provided by Eleanor, Kathy and the staff of Lean on Me
Assisted Living has been second to none and the family will be
eternally grateful for their many kindnesses. The help provided by the
Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs has been
outstanding.
Arrangements are under the care and
direction of A H Brown Funeral Home, 5
McFarlane Street, Springhill, (902 597 2361) from where a time of
visitation will be held from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Monday, March 26,
2018. A funeral service will take place at A H Brown Funeral
Home on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 2 pm with Rev. Wayne McCarther
officiating. A graveside service will be held at the
Hillside Cemetery, Springhill in the spring.
Condolences and sharing of memories may
be sent to the family by visiting ‘s Arnold’s online memorial at
www.brownsfuneralhome.com or through the A. H. Brown Funeral Home
Facebook Page.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Robert Arnold Burden MD CM 19222018.source
Death notice for the town of: Springhill, Province: Nova Scotia