Obituary of John V.B. Haver

Dr. John V.B. Haver (Jack) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 24, with all his children at his side. Despite a valiant effort, he could not recover from an operation for a perforated ulcer. He was 91. Jack was born in Lemberg, SK in 1925, and he proudly boasted of being raised in Saskatoon. He married his high school sweetheart, “his best friend”, Patricia, in 1947. Having achieved his BA and BEd, he quickly found work, teaching high school, in Tisdale, SK. where they had their first baby. Following that, they lived and worked, and had more children, in North Battleford, SK, Fargo, ND and Grand Forks, ND. Jack, however, had always wanted to be a doctor and, after having four children, he and Pat decided to move back to Saskatoon where he had been accepted into Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Life was all about juggling children, school and work for the next few years. There was no doubt it was a struggle, but they knew the rewards would be great, and they made it work. Jack graduated in 1961 and they moved to Wynyard, Sask where he practiced medicine for 33 years. Small town life suited both of them to a tee. Jack immersed himself in his work, built a large, successful medical practice, and made many lifelong friends in the process. Besides his work, he involved himself in several local activities including the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and the Wynyard Curling Club, to name a few. Jack's devotion to his friends never diminished. He stayed in continuous contact with his medical classmates, and was instrumental in organizing their class reunions every five years. Jack and Pat also loved to travel and, through that, they saw most of the world. He boasted of having set foot on every continent. Jack retired at the age of 70 and he and Pat moved back to Saskatoon to be closer to family, but they never lost touch with their Wynyard friends, and truly treasured their relationships there. Having been successful in his life, Jack felt indebted to the two organizations he felt contributed most to his success and, in recognition of that, he proudly donated to both the City Hospital Foundation and the College of Medicine at University of Saskatchewan. With a personality larger than life, there was never any doubt when Jack entered a room. He had a tremendous sense of humour and loved a good joke. You never had to guess what he was thinking. His opinions were strong; his guidance was wise; his passion for life, love and liberty was generously shared. There is no doubt that his influence will resonate with all of us for years to come. He will live on in our hearts and in our memories. Jack was predeceased by his wife, Patricia, in 2014. They had celebrated 67 years of marriage, and he missed her dearly. He was also predeceased by his parents, Malcolm and Bernice Haver, and five siblings, Robert, Cecil, Leone (Phipps), Joyce (Fossum) and Beryl (Walper) and his son-in-law, Rich Buckwold, in 2015. He has one surviving sister, Phyllis (Cryderman). Left to treasure his memory are his four children and their families: Barbara and Bob Ellard, Bill and Patti Haver, Carol Buckwold, and Bob and Ann Haver. His precious grandchildren are Ben Ellard (Erin), Brie Jedlic (Chad), Mark Buckwold (Lisa), Mika Zdunich (Jeff), Tori Veikle (Conrad), John Haver (Charlene), Katy Haver, Kristen Vaughn (Travis), Rob Haver (Jayme), and Mitchell Haver (Kristan). Jack also proudly welcomed fifteen great grandchildren, ranging from six months to twelve years of age, as they entered his life. They are Lily, Zoe, Stella and Marlow Jedlic, Parker and Georgia Ellard, Jack and Annabelle Buckwold, Brooklyn and Clara Zdunich, Reese, Cohen and Piper Veikle, Everly Haver, and Aria Haver. For those wishing to make a donation, the family has requested it be made to “The Jack and Pat Haver Award in Primary Care Medicine”. You may do so by calling the College of Medicine, Donations Office, at 306-966-1786.