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Kenneth Hughes
May 7, 1933 - June 10, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">DR. KENNETH RUSSELL HUGHES, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. <br> <br> <br> <br>Ken was born in Winnipeg on May 7, 1933 and died in Goderich, Ontario on June 10, 2016 at the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) in Goderich. <br> <br> <br> <br>Ken is missed by Nancy, his wife of 26 years, and by his son, Simon (Christabel Wiebe) and two grandchildren, his younger sister, Laurelle Murdoch, and Marion Martin, all of Winnipeg. His older sister, Eleanor Williams, resides in Sorrento, B.C. Ken was dear to his two stepsons, John R. Graham (Angela Watson), and their three children, and Jeff D. Graham (Eva Serrano). Ken was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Doris (Fallows), and by his sister, Doreen (Albert Dawson). <br> <br> <br> <br>The recipient of numerous academic scholarships, Ken was educated in the prairie one-room schoolhouse, Brandon College (now Brandon University), the University of Manitoba, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees, and the University of Chicago where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1961, majoring in Psychology and Neuro-Physiology. <br> <br> <br> <br>After joining the staff of the at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba in September, 1961, he began an illustrious academic career, first as Associate Professor, then quickly climbed the ladder to Provost, Associate Dean of Medicine, and Vice President of Research. But the pinnacle of his academic career was his appointment as Dean of Graduate Studies, a post he enjoyed for 15 years until his retirement in 1998. An exemplary academic, dedicated to the advancement of education in Canada at all levels, Ken worked faithfully for the University of Manitoba, one of the loves of his life. He travelled to many countries around the world representing the University in a variety of roles. Ken was deeply honoured when he was awarded the title of Dean Emeritus, being the first Dean of Graduate Studies in the 140 year history of the institution to receive this recognition. <br> <br> <br> <br>Ken fought poor health for much of his life. He suffered the onset of kidney disease at the age of 15, and was often too ill to study. In the early years of his renal failure, little was known of methods of treatment; however, his sister, Laurelle, offered to be his donor for a kidney transplant. The surgery was successfully performed in Winnipeg in October 1974 and the resulting unwavering bond between Laurelle and Ken was evident to all. Ken, known as the ‘miracle man’, told his own story many times in his retirement years in Ontario in various communities. He was indeed an inspiration to renal disease survivors. Ken found time to serve as President of the Canadian Kidney Foundation, and a member of the Canadian Blood Services Board, and on many hospital boards, both in Winnipeg and Goderich. <br> <br> <br> <br>Ken and Nancy retired to Goderich where they enjoyed wonderful years together living in Nancy’s family’s heritage home, where friends and family were welcome, and those happy memories will live on. All who knew Ken thought him a gentle man with a clever wit, a magnificent brain, a keen sense of humour, and a gentleman. <br> <br> <br> <br>Friends will be received at McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, on Friday June 17, 2016 from 7-9 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 18 2016 at 11:00 am at Lakeshore United Church, North Street, Goderich, Ontario. McCallum & Palla is in charge of arrangements (519-524-7345). In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Kidney Foundation, Ontario Branch, 1559 Hurontario Street, Suite 201, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4S1, would be appreciated. <br> <br></div>