Norman Kitson McIvor

Dr. Norman Kitson McIvor, of Winnipeg, died in

the Misericordia Hospital on December 30, 1931, after

a brief illness and was buried the following day in Old

Kildonan cemetery, not far from his birthplace. He was

descended from Selkirk settlers and his father, for many

years prominent in the fur trade, named him after the

pioneer steamboat operator on the Red River. Born in

1875, he was educated in Winnipeg schools and the

University of Manitoba, graduating in medicine in 1908,

when he won the University silver medal for highest

standing in the year. After graduation he began practice

in Winnipeg, meeting with considerable success

until he enlisted for active service in 1916. He proceeded

overseas as senior Major of the 12th Field

Ambulance, C.E.F., and saw service on the Somme with

that unit. Later, he was attached to No. 3 Casualty

Clearing Station and No. 1 General Hospital, but ill

health compelled him to be invalided home in October,

1917.

In the spring of 1918 Doctor McIvor was appointed

Unit Medical Director at Winnipeg of the Invalid

Soldiers' Commission, which later became the Department

of Soldiers Civil Reestablishment and still later a

branch of the Department of Pensions and National

Health. Consequent on the spirit engendered in the great

general strike in Winnipeg in 1919, the position was no

easy one, but under his firm, wise and tactful administration

criticism was reduced to a minimum. In 1921 he

resigned to contest Centre Winnipeg in the Dominion

elections, but after his defeat he was re-appointed to

his former position, which he held until 1928, when he

resigned to resume his private practice.

He was a Lecturer in Surgery in the Faculty of

Medicine, University of Manitoba, Surgeon to the Out-

Patient Department, Winnipeg General Hospital, and a

Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Possessed of a genial disposition he was popular

alike with his army comrades, his professional colleagues,

the old-timers of the Red River settlement, and his

patients. He is survived by his widow, two sons and a

daughter.