HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-05-06, Page 15exeferZinesattuocale
One Hundred and Third Year EXETER, ONTARIO, MAY 6, 1976
Exeter honors Dr. Fletcher
BEV READ, wife of Dr. Read, presents Marian Fletcher with a bouquet
of roses during the festivities Saturday night for her.husband, Dr.
Fletcher. Mrs. Fletcher received tribute for her important contribution
to her husband's long career.
Advocate, May 6, 1976 Page 15
unquestioned integrity and
kindness, and last but not least, a
wee bit of a relative of mine" he
said.
In all, six classmates of Dr.
Fletcher are still alive, but only
one was able to attend the dinner.
Letters were received from the
others, however. Dr. Cargill of
Vancouver., Dr. Fred Jarvis of
Ohio, Dr. Hilton Struthers of N.Y.
City, Dr. Mdc Campbell of
Florida, and Dr. Gerrard of
Windsor.
A number of distinguished
physicians were present for the
occasion, including Dr. Wilcox,
Dr. MacLachlin and Dr. John
Goddard.
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he, Dr. Fletcher, and Dr. Met-
eher's brother had all been in the
same class together, he indicated
that "Mac" was the one who was
looked to for guidance, "... not
that Mac was any better than us,
though", he joked.
"Mac was an exemplary
student and a physician of
in a long, red gown, was seated
next to her tall, handsome
husband. She received a tribute
for her contribution to Dr.
Fletcher's career and was given
a bouquet of roses, presented by
Bev Read, wife of Dr. Walter
Read.
One of the more notable
moments of the program came
...when a former medical school
classmate of Dr. Fletcher's was
called to the podium, Dr, Hugh
Fletcher of Arva.
"['in sure if we asked Mac he
would say that this is just another
event in a very satisfying oc-
cupation", he said. Noting that
By LEIGH ROBINSON
"I came by train to Exeter
originally, alt hough it could
hardly have been called a train —
three passenger cars, a couple
of freight ears, and a caboose,
And when I saw the caboose pull
away from the train station, 1
said, Fletcher, you've had it."
To the delight of his
distinguished audience at the •
Exeter Legion flail Saturday, Dr.
11,1 ale out ('a in pbell Gilbert
Fletcher reminisced through 50
years of medical practice in this
area alter being presented with a
silver cup inscribed with the
names of the medical staff at • South Huron hospital, and a
small statue of a "wise old owl"
to mark the historic occasion.
"'I'o all of my friends in the
county I pay thanks to you. I shall
remember this evening for the
rest of my natural days,"
There was little need for Dr.
Fletcher to "pay thanks" for the
evening. It was one which he had
earned many years ago and
probably will continue to earn for
the rest of those "natural days."
Surrounded by friends,
patients, colleagues, and
representatives from the various
levels of Canadian government,
Dr. Fletcher accepted the
honours bestowed upon him with
the accustomed modesty and
poise which have accompanied
him through a long, illustrious
career.
It was a night of memories, a
bit of sadness, and a great deal of
humor as Exeter paid tribute to
the kindly physician who has
given so much to this community.
Master of ceremonies for the
occasion was Dr. Donald Ecker,
who began the evening of
speeches with a description of the
way things were 50 years ago
when the good doctor first began
to practice medicine.
""l'hey didn't have the facilities
then. Diabetics had no insulin,
there was no such thing as an-
tibiotic's, and (here were no safe
anaesthetics like those used in
the hospital of today", Dr. Eckel'
observed. We are here tonight to
pay tribute to a physician who
has devoted his entire life to
serving the citizens of this area,"
Among the guests present was
Robert McKinley, M.P. for Huron
who brought "greetings from the
federal government." "The
people of Exeter are tremen-
dously lucky. I understand that
this is not a retirement party, but
a celebration for 50 years of
service because the Doctor will
be continuing on," he said.
Jack Riddell, M.P.P. for
Huron-Middlesex, brought best
wishes from the provincial
government. Although he said
that he did not know Dr. Fletcher
well, he had known his grandson
as a colleague in the legislature.
"If he's a chip off his Grandad,
then I can tell you that Dr.
Fletcher is a very fine fellow",
Riddell said.
"Its people like Dr. Fletcher
that make this county what it is",
remarked Jack McCutcheon,
Warden of Huron County.
Referring to differences in
medical practice over the years,
McCutcheon said, "With all the
hospital closings, I think Dr.
Fletcher, that you are going to
have to stay around for awhile
and teach them how to make
house calls again because they're
not going to be able to treat
patients in a hospital," His
comment brought both laughter
and applause.
Mayor . Bruce Shaw recalled
that "the odd doctor raised
horses in town" and remembered
an alleged incident involving Dr.
Fletcher when he was called in
for a "second opinion" regarding
an ailing animal, "Am I ever
going to he able to race him
again, Dr.?", asked the con-
cerned owner. "Sure," responded
Dr. Fletcher. "And you'll be able
to beat him, too."
"We're pleased to have him
here as a friend, not just a doc-
tor", Shaw said.
Other dignitaries present in-
cl uded Walter McBride, the
Re—eve of Usborne, Rev. Harold
Caffrey Cann,. chairman of the
South Huron Hospital Board
presented Dr. Fletcher with the
cup and statue. Preceding the
presentation, Mr. Cann spoke of
the "one quality that controls and
guides all other qualities in
man". He alluded to King
Solomon's most desired blessing
"the blessing of wisdom". He
said that the Doctor, like the
King, had been bestowed with
that blessing. '
"Were it our let as citizens of
Exeter, we would proclaim to you
the Nobel Prize," he said.
"I'm overwhelmed", was Dr.
Fletcher's initial reaction to the
presentation.
"I would like to extend a warm
and sincere tribute to my wife
and family and to the men who
had the foresight and tenacity to
make possible the completion of
South Huron Hospital. My thanks
also go out to the South Huron
Board."
"Prior to the opening of South
Huron Hospital, all surgical
patients and the seriously ill had
to be transported to London. This
made it difficult for the family
doctor to attend in surgery
especially during one period in
Exeter when there was a shor-
tage of doctors."
1)1'. Fletcher also extended a
tribute to the medical staff in
Exeter "for their many years of
comradeship."
Once the planned activities had
ended, many of those who came
to the dinner remained for a few
moments to communicate their
personal appreciation and af-
fection to a great man.
IT WAS AN EVENING OF MEMORIES
Fletcher Saturday night. Above, Dr. Fletcher and
speeches and reminiscing which followed.
FOLLOWING THE TESTIMONIAL DINNER for Dr. Fletcher, many of the guests stayed on to convey a per-
sonal greeting to a man who has served the Exeter area for 50 years. Above, Bob Southcott of Grand Bend
congratulates Dr. Fletcher's wife, Marian. T-A photo.
Snell who gave the before dinner
blessing, Murray McAdam, of the
Ontario Medical Association, Dr.
Harrett of the Huron County
Medical Association and two of
the doctor's children, Bob
Fletcher and Sandy Neil, and
their families.
Mrs, Fletcher looking radiant
•
for Exeter's longest reigning doctor, Malcolm
his wife, Marian, relax between dinner and the evening of
T-A photo.
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ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE SPEAKERS at Dr. Fletcher's
testimonial dinner was his classmate from medical school in 1923, Dr.
Hugh Fletcher of Arva. Speaking of Malcolm Fletcher, he said, "He was
an exemplary student, a physician of unquestioned integrity and
kindness, and last but not least, a wee bit of a relative of mine." T-A photo.
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