MELLING, Dr. Tom

DR. TOM MELLING
1932 – 2023
B.Sc., M.D., F.R.C.S. (Can.), F.R.C.S. (U.K.), F.A.C.S. (U.S.A.), LL.D. (Hons.)
Recipient of the Queen’s Medal for Service to Canadians
Healer, Inventor, Musician, Raconteur

Affectionately known as “Dr. Tom”, Michael Thomas Melling was born and raised respectively in Stirling and Kilsyth, Scotland. He took his Bachelor’s and Medical Doctor’s degrees at the University of Glasgow, where he trained as a surgeon. Over time, he earned the rare distinction of a “Triple Crown” of surgical fellowships from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. He was awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Lethbridge in 2010.
After voluntary service as a surgeon with the British peacekeeping force in Cyprus, Dr. Tom emigrated to Canada in 1966, chose Lethbridge as his home and the North Side for his medical and surgical practice, and founded the Academy Medical Clinic in 1975. Ultimately, he became the longest-practicing physician in the City, serving patients in Lethbridge, Picture Butte and surrounding First Nations for 44 years.
Dr. Tom was director of the Lethbridge Cancer Centre and spearheaded its link to the Tom Baker Centre in Calgary. He served on the Lethbridge Cancer Centre medical staff, was Chief of Staff of the St. Michael’s Hospital for 11 years, and performed surgery at St. Michael’s, Lethbridge Regional and Picture Butte Hospitals for decades.
Nearly half of Dr. Tom’s patients were from First Nations, and he was especially passionate about his work with them. Their members honoured him with induction as an Honourary Chief of the Blood Tribe in 1993, and an Honourary Chief of the Kainai Nation in 2001. These were among the proudest moments of his career.
Beginning in 1972, Dr. Tom dedicated himself to working with those suffering from alcoholism and addiction, later founding the Southern Alcare Manor Halfway House (1975) and serving on the Board of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission for six years. He was also AADAC’s Medical Advisor for two years.
His devotion to alcoholics and addicts was personal. With practice of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the support of its Fellowship (especially his friends in the Green Acres Group at the Chapter House in Lethbridge), he found over 51 years of sobriety and recovery, and helped thousands of alcoholics and addicts do the same. He spoke on recovery across North America, carrying his message of hope, strength, and experience.
In addition to his distinguished medical career, Dr. Tom served on the Lethbridge District Catholic School Board and a number of civic committees.
Dr. Tom was known to generations of parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church, as well as patrons of the Lethbridge Musical Theatre, as a gifted tenor. He taught himself to play the piano, and could bang out any song by ear once he’d heard it. He could paint, draw, sculpt and take beautiful pictures. Using kits, he built a sports car, a radio and a colour television. He bred race horses. There was little he couldn’t do if he tried. Except golf. Although he loved it, he wasn’t as good at that!
He was always thinking. He invented the first walker with a seat for the elderly and disabled, an indispensable aid to daily living that has improved quality of life for countless people. He also conceived the laptop computer before it was ever officially invented, but his plans to make one were thwarted when the U.S. Defence Department wouldn’t let him use their screen technology!
Above all, Dr. Tom treasured his family, especially his beloved wife of 41 years, Teresa (née Rehbein), with whom he fell in love in 1978. From then on, they were inseparable: two halves of a whole.
Dr. Tom was predeceased by his parents, William and Elizabeth (née MacElhaney), and his brothers and sister, Bill, Ged and Alice.
He is survived by Teresa, and by her children: Craig Knutson (Juanita), Carmen Valgardson (Jason) and Cory Knutson (Randi), as well as the children of his marriage to Dr. Maureen Bramwell (née McCann): Michael (Diana Kolpak), Allen (Helena), Steve (Dawn) and Karen Anne MacDonald (Perry).
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Francis, Kristof (Teadora Siskin) and Jaylene Melling; Dr. Lexa Fraser (Andrew), Sydney Peters (Justin Thomson), Brett Peters and Matthew Melling; Liam Nelson; Niki Strand (Taylor), Kristofer Knutson, Courtney Nguyen (Truong), Brittany Scott (Travis) and Zachary Knutson; Kolby, Konnor and Karson Valgardson; and Jesse (Amy) and Emma Knutson (Reid Murray); as well as by his great-grandchildren: London, Boden, Pepin and Brekken Strand; Kairon, Zane, Echo and Dez Nguyen; Haislee Scott; and Nolan and Isla Fraser.
Dr. Tom fought off cancer and a heart attack, but age and dementia slowly took his body and mind. At the end, as he listened to the Serenity Prayer and AA Third Step Prayer, he smiled, and tears streamed down his face. An hour later, and at peace, he left us.
By any measure, Dr. Tom Melling lived an extraordinary life, filled with love, happiness and service to others. We will all miss his stories, humour and infectious laugh. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm, on Monday, December 4, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4th STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Sharon Hagel officiating. Interment will take place in Kilsyth, Scotland at a later date. To watch the service via livestream, go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/DrMichaelThomasTom-Melling
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
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