Obituary of Dr. Trevor Logan Gilkinson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Trevor Logan Gilkinson MD, FRCP, on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the age of 65. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family: his devoted wife Evelyn (née Wesche), and daughters Nicola (Nate) and Amanda. A pillar to many, Trevor leaves behind his father Frederick Merlin, loving brother Kent (Linda), brother-in-law Tom (Tammy) and nieces Courtney and Kayla. Predeceased by his mother Norine. Trevor was born in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. In 1978, he graduated from medicine at the University of Ottawa, after which he spent two adventurous years working as a rotating intern, a registrar, a senior house surgeon, as well as working at general practice locums at Wellington Hospital in New Zealand. Back in Canada, Trevor completed a yearlong residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. After completing his FRCP residency in emergency medicine at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, he moved to London, Ontario in 1983 to start his career at Victoria Hospital (South Street and subsequently London Health Sciences Centre), with an appointment in the Faculty of Medicine at Western University. He had a brilliant career and wore many hats over 35 years and retired in 2018 as Professor Emeritus. He contributed greatly with his clear thinking, intelligence, keen insights and quick mind while always maintaining equanimity and a humble and respectful demeanour. Trevor was a rare physician who excelled as a clinician, teacher, and administrator. His quiet competence and compassion will always be remembered by the patients and families he cared for in the ER, and by the colleagues and hospital staff he worked with. Medical students and physicians in training will remember him as a dedicated teacher, mentoring many who now practise emergency medicine across Canada. In 2005, during Trevor’s tenure as Site Chief at the Victoria Hospital Emergency Department, he was instrumental in the transfer of the South Street ER to its present Commissioners Road location. Nationally, Trevor was an executive member and past president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), helping to further standards for emergency medical care across the nation. In spite of being an incredible physician and mentor, Trevor loved nothing more than his family; a loving husband to his wife of 33 years and a consummate father to their two wonderful daughters. Time with "his girls" was always his top priority. He provided them with a lifetime of love and guidance that will always be remembered. Over decades he developed lifelong friendships, sharing his passions of skiing, windsurfing and especially mountain biking the many forests of Ontario, as well as annual trips to the magical red rock canyons of Sedona, Arizona. Trevor also cherished motorcycle trips with friends, logging countless miles on the back roads of Ontario and the eastern United States on his beloved Harley. His taste for fine food was only rivaled by the draw of a cold pint of amber ale, indulgences enjoyed frequently after a bike ride or during a stay at his paradise getaway in Grand Bend and always with friends and family. Trevor had a joy of sports and loved to travel, especially with his beloved wife, Evelyn. He also made the best chili in the world, hands down. Trevor was a truly exceptional person who will always be remembered as a caring and compassionate family man, friend, co-worker and physician to his many patients. His passing is a tremendous tragic loss that leaves a gaping hole in the very fabric of our universe. In his life, Trevor was able to leave the world a much better place than he found it. That is something we can all aspire to. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. Refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate locally. Some suggestions that were meaningful to Trevor include Wellspring London and Region or Prostate Cancer Canada.