Dr. Timothy Murray Paterson

It is with profound sadness that after a lengthy illness, we announce the passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Murray Paterson at the age of 66 years.

Tim will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 37 years Dr. Denise Nuttall; his sister Dr. Marjorie Paterson and partner Ken DeBusschere, his sister Peggie Andrew and husband Harry Andrew, his nephew Kenneth Andrew and wife Danielle Seiggel and their daughters Chloe and Charlotte Andrew, his niece Carolyn Cardwell and husband Kevin Cardwell and their son Gavin.  Tim is predeceased by his parents Nora and Murray Paterson.

In the 1980’s, Tim worked as clinician assistant for the Canadian Red Cross before embarking on an academic career in cultural and medical anthropology. As a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Anthropology Department Tim’s research focused on the public inquiry led by Justice Horace Krever into the distribution of tainted blood in the Canadian blood supply in the 1980s. Tim taught, trained, and mentored many students in cultural and medical anthropology as a Faculty member at Douglas College in New Westminster, B.C. having joined in 2000 and retiring in 2018. Tim loved teaching anthropology and mentoring his students. His dedication toward excellence in education in Canada was always foremost in his life. He also had a deep passion for music and loved to play jazz and classical guitar. Music was a central part of Tim’s life from early childhood onward. He was a collector of electric and acoustic guitars and his skills as a guitar player inspired many others to learn to play. Tim’s positive attitude toward life, even as he struggled through his illness for many years, has been an inspiration to all who knew him to carry on and enjoy each and every day to the best of our abilities. Tim, you will be missed by all who knew you.

In lieu of flowers we ask our friends to donate to their local palliative care units in hospital or local hospices.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Tim on November 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Sage Bistro seminar room at the University of British Columbia. A more formal ceremony of story telling/story sharing to honor Tim will take place at 1:00 p.m. Parking is located at the Rose Garden underground parking or the Chan Center parking lot. There will be light refreshments and bites to eat, as well as a cash bar.