March 25, 1935 - June 15, 2018
M. David Low, MD, CM, MSc (Med), PhD, FRCP(C), age 83, died peacefully after a lengthy illness on June 15, 2018, surrounded by family and friends in his home in Nanoose Bay, British Columbia.
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on March 25, 1935, David was one of eight children of Alice Fern Litchfield and Solon Earl Low. He earned his medical degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and graduate research degrees in neuroscience from Queen's and also Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
An avid researcher, he was fascinated by human cognition, memory, and consciousness. His career spanned six decades, encompassing science, medicine, engineering, teaching, administrative leadership, and humanitarian causes in many countries.
During his training in Houston, he conducted brain research on NASA astronauts in the 1960s then returned two decades later when he served for 11 years as president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), having previously served as the coordinator of health sciences at the University of British Columbia. He built biomedical research institutes in Canada and the USA, directing one of them.
An internationally recognized health policy analyst and interpreter, David gave invited testimony on health policy and health care system reform before many state and provincial commissions, congressional committees, and the U.S. White House. From 2005 to 2007, he was a special advisor on public health to the president of the University of Calgary. He was professor emeritus at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health in Houston from 2004 until his death. He founded major health charitable organizations in Texas and received numerous recognitions and honors in Canada, the USA, and France.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Nanoose Bay; daughters, Cecilia Low (Barrie Wright) of Calgary, AB; Sarah Low (Richard Parr) of Vashon Island, WA; and Kelsey Low (Christopher Paiz) of Sugar Land, Texas; and by his son, Peter Low (Mia Perry) of Glasgow, Scotland; his brothers Ken Low (Janice Low) of Calgary; and Eric Low of Lethbridge; sister-in-law Jeanne Low of Coaldale, AB; brother-in-law Laurie Liberty (Mary Margaret) of Ottawa; seven grandchildren (Cecil, Michael, Zachary, Josh, Aaron, Eddie, and Keziah); and many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and godchildren.
He was predeceased by sisters Lorna Western and Jessie (Marion) Swain of Utah, Sharon Williams of Raymond, AB, and Carol (Laurie) Liberty of Ottawa, and brother LeRon Low of Coaldale, AB.
Life celebrations will be held for numerous groups of family, friends, colleagues, and students around the world. His final resting place will be the Cardston Cemetery near his family in Cardston, Alberta. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Sands Funeral Home, Nanaimo