“The Median is the Message”
A tribute to the memory of Dr. Donald Rix
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On November 6, 2009, Dr. Don Rix, a well-known physician, business man and philanthropist passed away after a lengthy illness. He will be sadly missed throughout the community and the country as his leadership and accomplishments, both professionally and personally are inspiring. Tributes to Dr. Rix include the words: philanthropist, healer, mentor, volunteer, educator, devoted husband and father. He was also an innovator, with a longstanding interest in linking science, technology, industry and education.
Since the early days of his career as a physician, Dr. Rix gave his time to charities as a member, or to chair of many boards including Sunnyhill Hospital Foundation, Children's Hospital Foundation and Canuck Place Children's Hospice and Mainstream’s Foundation. He inspired our organization to continue to strive for excellence and innovation. While serving on the Board of Mainstream Foundation, Dr. Rix was a driving force behind the acquisition of homes for individuals supported by Mainstream. His spirit will always remain a part of Mainstream and the work that we do, and we will miss him.
Dr. Rix’s approach to philanthropy was rare. He was personally interested, involved, and gave his experience and leadership generously. He was extremely proud of his association with the organizations and institutions he helped and supported - like the Bursary Fund at BCIT, Vancouver’s MusicFest and UBC and the University of Western Ontario for expanding their medical training. Dr. Rix was passionate about education, which he viewed as fundamental. Some of his most memorable times were those spent mentoring medical students. |
As a leader, he was particularly proud to be the first physician to chair the Vancouver Board of Trade 2008/09. During that time, he established the Rix Center for Corporate Citizenship and Engaged Leadership to encourage philanthropy among business leaders and businesses. Dr. Rix received numerous awards and honours for his community service including honourary doctorates from UWO, UBC, SFU, UVic, UNBC, BCIT and The Justice Institute. Don cherished the Order of British Columbia (2004), the Order of Canada (2008), and the Canadian Medical Association's F.N.G. Starr Award for distinguished achievement (August 2009).
In closing, a tribute called “The Median is the Message,” provides some additional insight into the beauty of his soul. “Not only was Dr, Don Rix an exemplary corporate and community citizen, a philanthropist and tireless volunteer, he was the kind of person who took it upon himself to go that extra distance. A few years ago, a young courier was delivering samples to one of Don’s medical labs in Richmond. On the way back, on the Oak Street Bridge, a vehicle strayed across the median and hit the courier’s van, head on. He was killed instantly. He had a small child, a new wife, a mortgage and no insurance. Don went to work to have a median installed on the bridge, to raise money and provide further help for the devastated young widow. He wouldn’t give up. He fought the government bureaucracy relentlessly until he achieved his goal. The result was the Oak Street Bridge median, which has since saved countless lives….Fast forward two decades and the story comes full circle, as the courier’s son has recently enrolled in university on a scholarship established by Dr. Rix. The writer of this tribute, Darcy Rezac, Managing Director of the Vancouver Board of Trade, calls upon each of us to think about “the median that Don built,” when we cross the Oak Street bridge, and to reflect on how we as individuals can affect changes that benefit society with our time, talent and treasure, and then take it one more step.”
MAPCL made a contribution to the BC Cancer Foundation in honour of Dr. Rix. |
