A Life of Medicine and Adventure
The Canadian medical community and outdoor enthusiasts are mourning the loss of Dr. Steve "North" Kent, who passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest on May 22, 2024, in Victoria at age 73. The beloved pediatrician died just days after celebrating his birthday and what would have been his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Lise.
From Northern Roots to Medical Excellence
Steve Kent's story began in Yellowknife on May 12, 1952, where he was born to Czech immigrant parents. His northern origins earned him the nickname "North," though friends also joked it referenced his notoriously poor sense of direction. The family relocated to Winnipeg during his high school years, where he worked at Dairy Queen and met his future wife Lise Fredette on a blind date when he was 19 and she was 16.
The couple married in Winnipeg and remained there while Steve studied medicine at the University of Manitoba. His medical training took the family abroad, where their daughter Chelsea was born in Honolulu. They eventually settled in Victoria, where their son Josh was born.
Dr. Kent's professional dedication as a pediatrician was recognized with numerous awards, including the 2021 Cystic Fibrosis Canada Dr. Douglas Crozier Award and a posthumous lifetime achievement award from Vancouver Island Health. He was known for his commitment to learning about emerging therapies for cystic fibrosis and his teaching work with UBC Medical School.
Beyond the Stethoscope: Family, Humor and Wilderness
While Dr. Kent's medical credentials were impressive, those who knew him remember his vibrant personality beyond the clinic. He was renowned for his perfectly timed jokes and wicked sense of humor, often repeating stories with only "elements of truth" - like being mistaken for Jerry Springer at a Rolling Stones concert or his fictional connection to Barack Obama's inaugural barbecue.
As a father, he was always the fun parent playing on the floor with his children and even with young patients in his office. This playful spirit extended to his three grandchildren, Abby, Luke and Jaden, with whom he recently shared his lack of surfing skills during family visits to Tofino.
Dr. Kent's passion for the outdoors defined much of his life outside medicine. He conquered the West Coast Trail three times, including once with his 11-year-old son Josh. He ran the Edge to Edge Marathon in Tofino with his 23-year-old daughter Chelsea and spent nearly three decades backcountry kayaking. His annual paddling trips to the Broken Islands with friend Brian became legendary, sometimes involving unexpected medical consultations - like the time he emerged from his tent on Clarke Island with stethoscope in hand to diagnose a neighboring camper's son with a severe bronchial condition.
For decades, every Saturday without fail, Steve met Brian for runs, coffee, and to pick up the Saturday Globe and Mail. Their news discussions often included jokes about starting a podcast that might only attract one listener.
Legacy of Care and Connection
Dr. Kent maintained a bimonthly clinic in Tofino for many years, where the community's appreciation for having a pediatrician matched his own love for the coastal town. His clinics were interspersed with surfing attempts, beach runs, late-night pool games at the Legion, and Risk matches with locals - including an octogenarian who consistently outlasted everyone.
His sudden passing after a quiet run near his Victoria home has left a void in multiple communities. As his best friend Brian D. Young reflected, Steve had clearly discovered his "why" in life - evident in the crowded room at his celebration of life, filled with family, grandchildren, patients, colleagues, and dear friends.
Dr. Steve "North" Kent's legacy extends far beyond his medical achievements, living on through the countless lives he touched as a physician, father, grandfather, outdoorsman, and purveyor of perfectly timed punchlines.
