REGINALD CLIVE WIGHTMAN

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• Terrific obit! I never met the man, but I wish I had. Condolences to Clive Jr and Kim, friends. Stay safe, sane, and sage. - Posted by: Steve Knippel (Friend) on: Dec 03, 2023

• Condolences and sympathies to all of Clive's family. Clive was an incredibly accomplished and quick surgeon with a great sense of humour, a very pleasant person to work with and most of all a very caring and decent human being. For example, as a new arrival in the Department of Anesthesia at the Grace in 1982, I was assigned to Clive's slate with no warning about his speed and agility. I readied myself for the typical 3 hour gall bladder surgery back in Scotland that I was used to. Imagine my shock, surprise and horror when I turned around from the anesthetic machine after checking the adjustments, to find the gall bladder already in Clive's hands! He had done the most difficult part of the surgery in less than half an hour! In another case, during an unanticipated and undiagnosed condition that would have scared all sane anaesthetists to demand that the surgery be terminated immediately, I trusted Clive to proceed only because I knew he would finish the critical part of the surgery in record time and that judgement call paid off handsomely as the patient did very well. I will miss Clive very dearly. Rest in Peace my friend. - Posted by: Unni Nair (Physician Colleague at Grace Hospital) on: Nov 26, 2023

• Our deepest condolences to Clive, Bob, Reg, and Nancy and their respective families for the passing of their wonderful father. The obituary notice certainly captures the essence of their Dad. Dr. Wightman was an engaging presence. The way he walked, his warm smile, his energy, and the tone of his voice, all exuded his personality of being an “all-round person.” He treated everyone with genuine respect, always asked about what was going on in our lives, was a good listener, and his curiosity and interest was evident in his follow-up questions. He was a people person who was empathetic and supportive. He was exceptionally generous and loved to socialize and be a host. Dr. Wightman and the whole Wightman family were an integral part of the our family’s life. Our parents were the closest of friends. My Mum always called him “Clivers”: I always called him “Dr. Wightman.” Dr. Wightman’s beautiful and heartfelt eulogy and my father’s memorial was greatly appreciated by the Laing family. When we were kids, there were joint family getaways to the long-shuttered Wendigo Resort near Lac du Bonnet and to Kenora for skiing. Most of the special memories of Dr. Wightman were at the cottage at West Hawk Lake. There was lots of fun with pillow fights in the bunk house. He built the Cadet class sailboat out of plywood that he taught me to sail on when I was 13 years old. He patiently taught all of us Laing kids to water ski at West Hawk Lake. He was always active and inspired us to be the same. He used to take out his guitar and sing. He made us laugh and brought us joy. Dr. Wightman was such a well-respected and renowned surgeon in Winnipeg. He and my father, Iain Laing (also a surgeon), would often spend hours upon hours chatting about medical procedures late into the night. He was always conscious of good health and always ready to step in to assist with a scraped knee or point out something more serious and provide medical advice. He had so many other diverse abilities and interests. He was an exceptional athlete and seemed to excel at any sport he tried through his natural athleticism and determined perseverance. He was well read and interested in world affairs. He was skilled at so many things and a “Mr. Fixit” who would figure out how to repair something that others might have discarded. And he loved his cars; as an early teen, I recall sitting in the driver’s seat pretending to drive the split-backed window 1963 Corvette Sting Ray he used to store in our family’s garage over the winters. Most impressive was Dr. Wightman’s dedication to his wife Patsy (who we Laing kids called “Mrs. Wighty”) and all the kids. He adored each of his children and their families. Dr. Wightman will be greatly missed. Our condolences, Ross & Monica Laing, Ottawa - Posted by: Ross and Monuica Laing (Family friend) on: Nov 24, 2023

• Dr WIGHTMAN was a very professional physician who respected staff and patients … As a student we were petrified of him for fear he’d ask us a question about the surgical patients when he did rounds .. but we learned lots from him through our nursing careers .. As an Rn we respected him and loved to hear his thoughts about patients and he taught us all soo much … I still remember the day he cross country skiid into work during a horrible Nov storm .. when staff couldn’t get in and we’d all worked 20 plus hours .. he looked like the abominatable snowman coming diwn the hall to icu to see his buddy Dr McGarry and the two of them made all staff in icu toast and coffee .It was great .. he got his new 4wd truck stuck in a snow bank and was on call with Dr.McGarry and those 2 were hilarious making breakfast in our med room .. we were very proud of them !my condolences to all the family .. he truly was a great man ! - Posted by: Cindy (Former RN at Grace ) on: Nov 22, 2023

• I was the one who taught Clive to fish at West Hawk. I had a cottage on the big island. We some good fishing. Rest in peace my good friend. - Posted by: Gord Lohr (Fishing friend) on: Nov 22, 2023

• A true gentleman, great surgeon and respectful with a sharp wit. He was very accepting of this “Brit” new to the Grace, Winnipeg and Canada in the early nineties. Rest peacefully. - Posted by: Karin Long (Colleague) on: Nov 22, 2023

• My condolences to all his family. - Posted by: Marty Ball (I was a nurse at Grace Hospital from 1968 to 1994.) on: Nov 22, 2023

• My condolences to the Wightman family on the passing of your father and grandfather. I have good memories of working with Dr. Wightman when I was an employee at the Manitoba Medical Association for 7 years in the 1980s and he was a volunteer member of the committee that was responsible for recommending physician fees to government. We had the mammoth job of revamping the plastic surgery fee schedule and I appreciated the diligence and thoroughness that he brought to the task. Definitely someone I admired and feel fortunate to have crossed paths with - he left a lasting impression, Sorry to be out of town on Saturday. - Posted by: Shelley Morris (colleague from Manitoba Medical Association (Doctors Manitoba)) on: Nov 22, 2023