1933 - 2013
February of this year marked the passing of William Bruce (Ron) Pogue.
Ron retired with his family to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island in 1996. Prior to that he had an extensive career in the Hospital Administration field. He was Executive Director at hospitals in North Battleford Saskatchewan, Cardston Alberta and Whitehorse Yukon while employed with the Medical Services Branch of the Department of National Health and Welfare. He travelled extensively by small plane throughout Canada’s North from Frobisher Bay to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories and to Old Crow in Yukon overseeing the delivery of health care services.
He then moved back to Ontario, the province of his birth and took up a position with the Woodstock General Hospital, where in 1977 he became President and CEO. His career in Woodstock spanned 24 years during which he oversaw many changes at the hospital. He became a founding member of the Canadian College of Health Service Executives and received a Fellowship and the Chairman’s Award for Distinguished Service from that organization. He also was a member and received a Fellowship from the American College of Healthcare Executives.
He was sought after as a speaker at various health related conferences through out the years and could be counted on to deliver his message with wit and humour. He mentored students in the health care field, served on the Board of the Thames Valley District Health Council and was involved with the Woodstock Women’s Emergency Center. While living in Woodstock Ron was able to explore his passion for small planes owning first an Aircoup and then a Cessna 172. He was also a regular at the sailing club.
After moving to the Comox Valley and retirement Ron served on the Board of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation and worked with the Comox Recreation Commission. He also spent time volunteering with the Community Justice Center and the Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards. Ron loved the Comox Valley, its beautiful natural setting, its mountains and the ocean. He enjoyed the sailing, walking the trails and exploring all the wonderful places there are to see.
He leaves behind in Ontario his sons Mark, Chris and Bruce and grandchildren Ben, Robert, Daniel, Seamus, Mallory, Maddison and Ethan, and in the Comox Valley his wife
Patricia, son Ron and grandchildren Aiden and Ransom. He will be truly missed.