In Memoriam: Dr. Brian Flumerfelt
It is with great sadness we share that Dr. Brian Flumerfelt – Professor Emeritus at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry – has passed away.
On January 10, 2023, with his family by his side, Brian passed away peacefully at age 82. He is remembered lovingly by his wife of 61 years, Terry Flumerfelt, their four children, Mark, Robin, Laurey, and Sherry, and their eight grandchildren.
Brian grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, and attended Carleton University, where he met Terry. Four children followed in quick succession while Brian pursued an MSc degree at McGill University and a PhD in Anatomy at the University of Cambridge, a member of Corpus Christi College.
He spent a year at the Montreal Neurological Institute and in 1971, joined the Department of Anatomy in the Faculty of Medicine at Western University in London, Ontario. Brian worked at Western for the next 35 years as a professor, including three years as Assistant Dean of Research in the Faculty of Medicine and ten years as Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.
Brian was an authority on the structure and function of the central nervous system and taught medical histology to thousands of future physicians. His distinguished career included MRC scholarships and numerous other grants and awards. He retired from Western in 2006, becoming a Professor Emeritus. However, his love of teaching continued, and in 2008, he joined the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, where he taught for the next six years.
Brian often spoke fondly of his childhood in St. Catharines, his adoring parents, Allan and Evelyn, and his wonderful sister, Marilyn. His family was devoted to each other, and that closeness continued throughout their lives.
As a child, he loved fishing and later shared that love with his grandchildren. He was a drummer and a drum corps judge. He taught himself how to sail and skippered boats in Georgian Bay, Greece, Washington State, Florida, and the Caribbean. He and Terry had many travel adventures throughout Europe and in China, and lived in England, British Columbia, California, and St. Maarten. He loved sports, coached his son’s hockey team, and spent his last days watching football with his family.
Brian will always be remembered for his kindness, intelligence, and integrity. He was the best husband, father, and grandfather anyone could hope for and was completely devoted to his family. He will forever be missed.
The family will honour Brian with a Celebration of Life this summer. Please leave your contact information and any memories, thoughts, or photographs you’d like to share at FlumerfeltFamily6@gmail.com.
The full obituary can be read on the Harris Funeral Home website.
