M.D., F.R.C.P.S (C)
(Jan. 19, 1925 - Sept. 3, 2008)
With sadness we announce the passing of Dr. David Klassen. Dave was born in Craigmyle, Alberta, the second of eleven children of David G. Klassen and Mary (Peters) Klassen. He attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton where he graduated in Medicine in 1949. After he had completed a year of internship at the University Hospital in Edmonton, he worked for a year as a physician in Mayerthorpe, Alberta with a friend from medical school, Dr. Vern Krause. In 1951-52, David returned to Edmonton, where he served as a surgical intern at Edmonton General Hospital.
He married Marjorie Kruk on June 18, 1951. The young couple moved to Vancouver in 1952, where he spent a year in medical practice in partnership with a medical school classmate and close friend, Dr. Pat Doyle. Dave and his family moved to Chilliwack in 1953, where he had his own medical practice as a general practitioner for nine years. From 1962 to 1965 he trained as an ear, nose, and throat specialist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He later passed his Canadian fellowship exams, and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1966. He practiced as an otolaryngologist in Chilliwack on a full-time basis from 1965 until 1994, and after that continued until 2005 to work part-time and assist at surgery.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie, and their children, David, Donald, Michael (Beatrice), Kathleen (Sue), Lauren, and Judith (Edward). He is fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Kenneth, Kristine, and Mika, and by Michael’s stepson, Jeremy (Bari).
Dave died at home in Chilliwack with Marje by his side. He loved the Fraser Valley for its scenic beauty and the opportunities it afforded for outdoor recreation. He was a founding member of the Chilliwack Golf and Country Club, a fisherman, a hunter, and a skier. In his semi-retirement he also took up gardening. He could still be found on the slopes of Mt. Baker after he turned eighty, and was an active golfer and outdoorsman until the last year of his life.
The family is very grateful for the skillful and compassionate care provided in the last year by physicians and all other medical professionals, nurses and caregivers.
Funeral service: St. Mary’s Parish, 8909 Mary Street, Chilliwack, B.C., 12 o’clock noon on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Reception to follow.
Donations can be made to Chilliwack Hospice Society in lieu of flowers.