Hans-Klaus Uhthoff passed away peacefully on July 16 in his 97th year at home in Ottawa, surrounded by his immediate family. Opa died the same way he lived his life: with courage, dignity, and always putting his family first. Choosing death on his own terms was his ultimate parting gift, allowing his loved ones to say goodbye.
He is survived by the love of his life, Annegret, his wife of 66 years, and his three children, Sylvia (Martin Munro), Peter (Tara Davies) and Jasmin (Andrew Robb). Opa took great pride and interest in his eight grandchildren, Eric, Alexander (Kathleen) and Louise Munro; Nicholas, Marcus and Matthew Uhthoff; and Stefan and Michael Robb. His final wish was to be with them one last time, a wish that was fulfilled within hours.
Born in Germany, he served as a young soldier in the army. After the war, he began medical school where he met his lifelong partner, Annegret. Theirs is the quintessential love story: as a member of the selection committee for first-year medical students, he interviewed Annegret and knew that not only would she make an excellent doctor, but that he would also marry her. After two years in Montreal, Hans-Klaus coaxed her to join him to pursue their residencies: orthopaedics for him; anesthesiology for her. They embarked on a life together in their adopted country, maintaining strong ties to Germany but never looking back. In the early days, they made an ideal husband-wife team in the Verdun Hospital OR. In 1973, he accepted the position of Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery, moving his family of five to Ottawa. A compassionate and skilled surgeon, his true passion was research. Becoming a professor at the University of Ottawa allowed him to establish the Bone and Joint Research Lab. His leadership and research endeavours put Ottawa orthopaedics on the map. In 1983, Hans-Klaus became the president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, which (almost) satiated his love for travelling the world. He retired numerous times: first from surgery in 1991—only to take on the position of Chairman of the Department of Surgery; then again in 2003—yet continued to practice medicine in Nunavut well into his late 80s. Up until a few months ago, he attended weekly lab meetings, learning to navigate Zoom during COVID.
His frugality and thriftiness, borne of the war years, was the source of many family jokes, yet he could be incredibly generous. His children’s and grandchildren’s favourite memories of Opa are cemented in annual family ski, bike or beach holidays. At times, friends of his children and grandchildren came along. But it was the cottage in the Eastern Townships, which he and Annegret bought as a run-down farmhouse almost 60 years ago, where he spent his happiest days, especially when surrounded by family and friends, and even more so if they joined him on foraging expeditions for chanterelles and berries.
A wonderful teacher, mentor and friend, interested and knowledgeable in a wide range of topics, he influenced a great many people throughout his life, of all ages and from all walks. He set high standards for himself and inspired those around him to do the same. His legacy will live on in the Hans K. Uhthoff, MD FRCSC Graduate Fellowship endowment fund he created for U of Ottawa PhD and Master students to pursue research in orthopaedics.
Special thanks to Dr. Lisa Moore, Dr. Rodney Breau, Dr. Jennifer Brodeur, Steve Rose and Heather Barkley for their wonderful care during his last months. A celebration of his life will be held in the Sacred Space at Beechwood, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on July 27 at 3 pm. The family requests that all guests wear masks. Livestreaming will start at 3:30: https://foveo.stream/beechwood/hans-klaus-uhthoff
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hans K. Uhthoff endowment fund https://alumni.uottawa.ca/donation-form fid=4jjUxKMm%2b5o%3d&fdesc=ahSuwJ2golcnwwlH5Ey79uS0cOPZCWiS9Zmjln4GPgzTZmqMaqd1ASUmPscJPwCu are appreciated.
Hans-Klaus Uhthoff est décédé paisiblement le 16 juillet dans sa 97e année chez lui à Ottawa, entouré de sa famille immédiate. « Opa » a fait face à la mort de la même manière qu'il a vécu sa vie : avec courage, dignité et en donnant toujours la priorité à sa famille. Choisir la mort selon ses propres conditions était son cadeau d'adieu ultime, permettant à ses proches de lui dire au revoir.
Il laisse dans le deuil l'amour de sa vie, Annegret, sa femme depuis 66 ans, et ses trois enfants, Sylvia (Martin Munro), Peter (Tara Davies) et Jasmin (Andrew Robb). Opa était très fier et intéressé par les vies de ses huit petits-enfants, Eric, Alexander (Kathleen) et Louise Munro; Nicolas, Marcus et Matthew Uhthoff ; et Stefan et Michael Robb. Son dernier souhait était d'être avec eux une dernière fois, un souhait qui s'est réalisé en quelques heures.
Né en Allemagne, il a servi comme jeune soldat dans l'armée. Après la guerre, il a entamé ses études en médecine où il rencontre sa compagne de toujours, Annegret. Leur histoire d'amour est la quintessence : en tant que membre du comité responsable de la sélection des étudiants de première année en médecine, il a interviewé Annegret et a immédiatement compris que non seulement elle serait un excellent médecin, mais qu'il l'épouserait également. Après deux ans à Montréal, Hans-Klaus l'a persuadée de venir le rejoindre afin de poursuivre leurs résidences ensemble : dans le domaine de l’orthopédie pour lui, l’anesthésiologie pour elle. Ils se sont lancés dans une vie commune dans ce pays d’adoption, tout en entretenant des liens étroits avec leur pays d’origine l'Allemagne, mais sans jamais regarder en arrière. Au début, ils formaient une équipe mari-femme idéale au bloc opératoire de l'hôpital de Verdun. En 1973, il a accepté le poste de chef de la chirurgie orthopédique, déménageant sa famille qui comptait maintenant cinq personnes à Ottawa. Chirurgien compatissant et compétent, sa véritable passion était la recherche. Devenir professeur à l'Université d'Ottawa lui a permis de mettre sur pied le Laboratoire de recherche sur les os et les articulations. Son leadership et ses efforts de recherche ont permis de faire connaître et de souligner l’importance de l’orthopédie à Ottawa. En 1983, Hans-Klaus est devenu président de l'Association canadienne d'orthopédie, ce qui a (presque) assouvi son amour pour les voyages à travers le monde. Il a pris sa retraite à plusieurs reprises : d'abord de la chirurgie en 1991, pour occuper le poste de président du département de chirurgie ; puis de nouveau en 2003, mais a continué de pratiquer la médecine au Nunavut jusqu'à la fin des années 80. Jusqu'à il y a quelques mois, il assistait à des réunions de laboratoire hebdomadaires, apprenant à naviguer sur Zoom pendant COVID.
Sa frugalité et son économie, nées des années de guerre, étaient la source de nombreuses blagues familiales, mais il pouvait être incroyablement généreux. Les souvenirs préférés de ses enfants et petits-enfants d'Opa sont concrétisés dans les vacances familiales annuelles de ski, de vélo et de plage. Parfois, les amis de ses enfants et petits-enfants sont venus. Mais c'était au chalet dans les Cantons-de-l'Est, qu'il a acheté avec Annegret comme une ferme délabrée il y a près de 60 ans, où il a passé ses plus beaux jours, surtout quand il était entouré de sa famille et de ses amis et encore plus s'ils se joignaient à lui pour des expéditions de recherche de chanterelles et de baies.
Un enseignant, un mentor et un ami formidable, intéressé par et bien informé sur un large éventail de sujets, il a influencé un grand nombre de personnes tout au long de sa vie, de tous les âges et de tous horizons. Il s'est fixé des normes élevées et a inspiré ceux qui l'entouraient à faire de même. Son héritage vivra dans le fonds de dotation de la Bourse d'études supérieures Hans-K.-Uhthoff, M.D., FRCSC qu'il a créé pour que les étudiants au doctorat et à la maîtrise de l'Université d'Ottawa poursuivent leurs recherches en orthopédie.
Un remerciement spécial à Dre Lisa Moore, Dr Rodney Breau, Dre Jennifer Brodeur, Steve Rose et Heather Barkley pour leurs merveilleux soins au cours de ses derniers mois. Une célébration de sa vie aura lieu dans l'Espace sacré à Beechwood, 280, avenue Beechwood, Ottawa, le 27 juillet à 15 h. La famille demande que tous les invités portent des masques. Diffusion en direct à 15h30 HNE https://foveo.stream/beechwood/hans-klaus-uhthoff
Au lieu de fleurs, des dons au fonds de donation Hans K. Uhthoff sont appréciés.
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Digital Guestbook
Ishiko and Sumio GOTO MD, Chiba
Lynn Fischer
My sincerest condolences to you, Sylvia, your siblings and your Mom on the death of your father. I remember him so fondly from my year of clerkship at OGH as we called it then. I wasn't ever in the OR with your dad, but remember many ortho clinics with him and the residents. He was always so friendly and approachable in his own quiet way. I also remember your mom when she was an anaesthetist at The Grace hospital. I did my OB rotation for 3 months there as a family medicine resident and I was always so happy when she was the anaesthetist on call for labour and delivery as she was so capable and, in her quiet way, very supportive of we residents. And I also recall, way back in med school, how joyful you were about skiing trips with your family-such a close knit one and it sounded like you had so much fun together! I hope all those memories can help sustain you as you grieve the loss of your father and Opa. I hope you and Martin and your family are well, Sylvia. My prayers are with all of you during this time of mourning.
Carmen and Alan Giachino
Hans Uhthoff has received many accolades for his research and medical career, but I remember him as a special friend. He always remembered his friends, taking interest in their lives, travels, and families. He was a generous host at his home and beloved ‘Bolton’, where he really enjoyed life. Many will have participated in the hikes, skiing, and early morning dips in the cold pond.
He was very proud of his children, their spouses, and grandchildren and made many happy memories with them. Hans will be greatly missed by all of us.
We send our deepest condolences to Annegret and the family.
Ganesh Swamy and Roisin McCormick
Dr. Uhthoff lived a long and impactful life. I feel lucky to have known him, and certainly was a model for me.
Please accept our condolences.
Marie Paule Philippe
J’ai été attristée d’apprendre le décès de Dr Uhtoff. Je l’ai connu dans mes fonctions à l’Hopital Général en tant que directrice des Archives puis de l’Acceuil. Il était à mes yeux un homme intègre,respectueux, un vrai”gentleman”. Bref, un homme admirable.
J’offre mes sincères sympathies à sa famille et amis.
Marie Paule Philippe
sophia papahariss wright
My deepest sympathy to Annegret and her family
Don & Martha McKay
He was passionate about family and friends and connecting with people. Always interested in what was happening in others' lives. The love of travel and unique adventures helped keep Hans and Annegret young, living life to the fullest. As friends of Sylvia, we were honoured to be included in many family events and ski trips to the Eastern Townships. The tribute is beautifully written and captures his character perfectly.
Dr Antoine Gaspard
I remember Dr UHTHOFF when I was doing my internship in Montreal-Verdun in 1969.He was an excellent teacher, always ready to help explaining orthopedics and related research in his animal lab in the basement of Verdun general hospital.My deepest sympathy to his family
Gary Hooper
Annegret I am so sorry to hear the news. But what a magnificent career!!
Of course he was so effective because of the home support he had.
Both Leigh and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to you and the family.
Sakiko and Jun Kumagai. Sendai, Japan
We appreciate you for your kindness and magnanimity you showed while we stayed in beautiful Ottawa from 1990 to 1992.
Your gentle smile will remain in the heart of Kumagai family.
Ishiko and Sumio are so sorry to hear of Professor Uhthoff‘s passing. We wish to extend to Mrs Uhthoff, Sylvia , Peter and Jasmin our deepest sympathy. We remember the life in Ottawa for two years and, thereafter, so many times of travelling with him for science meetings in Lyon, Helsinki, Stockholm, Brussel, Kyushu, and so on. Our daughters Shinobu and Akiko join in expressing our great regret.