October 31, 1927 - July 31, 2020
Michael Entwisle was born in French Guinea on October 31, 1927 and died on July 31, 2020, in Courtenay, B.C., on the hobby farm he dubbed Guineacres.
At the age of five, Michael and his parents returned to England where he was educated and completed his military service as an officer in the Royal Artillery.
He went on to study medicine at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, leading to a variety of positions as a doctor before training to become a psychiatrist. He married Rosemary Moore in 1955. They raised four children and immigrated as a family to Calgary in 1969.
He joined the Department of Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary in 1971; in 1991 he was appointed Professor Emeritus. During those years he was Director of: the Residency Training Program in Psychiatry; Adolescent Treatment Programs including Wood's Christian Homes; the medical staff of Alberta Mental Health Services, Calgary Region.
He also served on the Admissions Committee of the Medical School and as Associate Director in the Department of Psychiatry at Calgary General Hospital.
After the dissolution of his first marriage, in 1988 Michael met Susan Ketchen who lured him to Vancouver Island where for six years he was Director of Psychiatry at St. Joseph's General Hospital Comox and Consultant Psychiatrist to B.C. Mental Health Services in the Comox Valley and North Vancouver Island, linking with UBC as an Honorary Clinical Professor of Psychiatry.
He retired in 1997 and developed the skills needed for the country life. He happily learned to use a chain saw, herd chickens, operate a tractor, and enjoyed his ride-on lawnmower until the last month of his life. He took special pleasure in sharing his rural paradise with his children, grandchildren, friends and colleagues.
He had an easy laugh, and behind his gentle exterior was a remarkable determined spirit. He died on his terms, in his own bed with a view out over the pasture to the mountains.
Michael is survived by his wife Susan Ketchen, children Alison, Christine (Lance), and Stephen, and grandchildren Kaela (Andrew) and Alexandra (Matt). He was predeceased by his son Jonathan.
Special thanks to Tracie Robertson from Home Instead Senior Care for keeping Michael comfortable to his last breath, and to Dr. Amitabh Bakshi for ongoing care.
If desired, donations may be made to a favourite charity or the Red Cross.