In Memoriam

2022-10-07

This week the College of Family Physicians of Canada™ (CFPC) learned of the passing of a valued member of our community who dedicated his career to advancing family medicine and to primary care research.

It is with great sorrow we inform you that Dr. Walter Rosser passed away on Sunday, October 2nd. We will remember him as a remarkable and compassionate person, and a strong advocate for family medicine.

During a long career, Dr. Rosser led faculties of medicine at the Ottawa, Queen's, Toronto, and McMaster universities. He helped influence primary care policies and guidelines in Canada and around the world. Queen's University, upon his retirement from the Department of Family Medicine, established the Walter Wylie Rosser Chair in Family Medicine Research. It recognizes his role and pioneering work in advancing research contributions of family physicians in the advancement of clinical care of patients. Other honours and awards include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, a CFPC Lifetime Achievement award and a W. Victor Johnston Award. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2010 with the citation, “Walter Rosser has helped to advance the field of family medicine and has contributed to the evolution of primary care research in Canada.”

Dr. Rosser influenced and mentored many family medicine leaders and researchers through the years. He had the gift of fully connecting with people even in the briefest of conversations. His passing leaves a void among his colleagues and in family medicine, but we will never forget the invaluable legacy he leaves on our profession. We wish to express our deepest condolences to Dr. Rosser's family and friends.