David Hardwick (1934-2021)

Published Obituary

David Francis Hardwick

Jan 24, 1934 – May 15, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce that David died at home after a few months with family care. He was born in Vancouver to Walter and Iris Hardwick, 2 educators who instilled a love of learning and service. David started achieving early, earning credits to leave High School after grade 11 and going to the University of British Columbia (UBC) at age 16 and then on to medical school at 19. He continued his training in Montreal, South Carolina, Vancouver and Los Angles before settling back in Vancouver. In that time, he married his wife, Margaret and raised 3 children while serving the community.

At UBC, David served many roles including Head of the Department of Pathology and later in the Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Office as Associate Dean, Research and Planning and then as Special Advisor on Planning. He loved teaching and leading – tactically. He had a keen interest in medical students and served as Faculty Adviser to the Medical Undergraduate Society for 20 or more two-year terms. He mobilized alumni support to build the Medical Student and Alumni Centre and he supported the MSAC in many ways including cutting the grass, raking leaves and cleaning up. As part of his clinical practice, was involved in the development of the BC Children’s Hospital and served as its first Chief of Medical Staff.

He served around the globe with the International Academy of Pathology, as President (1992-1994), as Chair of the Inter-Congress Education Committee (1994-1998) and as Secretary (2006-2015).

Post his 1999 retirement, David's interest in self-organizing systems led to the development of an online journal “Cosmos and Taxis” and his collaboration editing the Palgrave Studies in Classical Liberalism.

In his spare time David loved to play the piano and go to Keats Island to a home he built with his family as a youngster. He built rock walls, wielding his large chainsaw while landscaping the property, played his banjo uke and did many home engineering projects.. digging wells by hand and building wharves, boats etc. Like his bowties, David had a colorful personality. He told endless jokes, used a goofy handshake, and loved puns. "Have you heard the one about….?" was a favorite opening line.

David loved operas, good port wines, Mel Brooks movies, and playing with words. He was an avid reader and was always ready with an impromptu lecture on wide ranging subjects. Anyone who heard him during a dinner party speak of The Scottish Enlightenment and Self-Organizing Systems won't forget them.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Margaret, son David, daughter Heather, and best friend/brother Walter. He will be truly missed by his daughter Margaret (Max), son-in-law Dave, daughter-in-law Catriona, 7 grandchildren Kim, Paul, Christine, Nicola, Alex, Ben and David, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbours, colleagues, the Keats Community and special friends Virginia, Charlie and Leslie.

David was a beloved teacher to medical students for over forty years. His sense of humor and comic timing during his memorable lectures in pathology was legendary.

Compilation by Stan Shaw and Charles Ramey