TITTEMORE, Delbert Lloyd
March 17, 1927 – October 18, 2021
Del was born to Hazel and Ernest Tittemore on the farm near Liberty, Saskatchewan on March 17, 1927. Between 1944 and 1951 he began his undergraduate degree at the University of Saskatchewan and completed his degree in medicine at the University of Alberta, specializing in anesthesiology.
He interned at the Saskatoon City General hospital from 1951 to 1952. This is where he met Patricia Denyer and they were married on October 18, 1952. Del and Pat started their life together in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. On May 24, 1953 they moved to the Chateau Lake Louise where he was the resident doctor for CP hotels. As a hotel was not a suitable place to raise a family, they moved to the White Block in Banff in the fall of 1953. They also lived on Deer Street and Banff Avenue while he worked at the Brett Mineral Springs Hospital. His first three children (Donna-1953, Tom-1955 and Joan-1957) were born in the Brett Mineral Springs Hospital.
In 1958, the new Mineral Springs Hospital (now the YWCA) was opened. The same year, they bought a large house at 427 Muskrat Street. Del had a general practice at the Atkin Clinic with doctors Duncan MacKenzie, Pat Costigan and Ian Wilson. He also worked hospital rounds and emergency in both Banff and Canmore.
Del was the coroner for the Bow Valley area which included Banff, Lake Louise, Exshaw and Canmore for 25 years. At that time, local coroners did all investigations – not the provincial coroner. He was also the anesthesiologist for all surgeries in the Bow Valley corridor.
His two youngest sons (Bill and Brian) were born in 1961 and 1966 respectively in the new Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.
In 1980, Del and Pat moved to Cochrane to escape the demands of working in hospitals. Del and Frank Dallison opened two practices; a walk-in clinic in Calgary and a general practice in Cochrane. Del retired from medicine in 1997 at the age of 70.
He purchased 82 acres of farm land near Cochrane Lakes and began his new career as a farmer/rancher, growing hay, boarding horses and raising beef cattle.
In 2006, he sold the farm after enjoying his life-long dream of getting back to the land. For the next thirteen years, Del once again became a caregiver looking after Pat. In May, 2016 Pat and Del moved to assisted living at Origin at Spring Creek in Canmore, Alberta.
He is predeceased by Patricia, Bill and Brian. Three partners have resided with his living children for decades. Four grandchildren along with three great grandchildren continue his proud family lineage.
In his memory, donations can be made to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation https://canmorehealthfoundation.com/donate
Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039
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To all Del’s family,
I will never forget Del, Dr. Tittemore and friend. Our family is so blessed to have been patients of Dr. Tittemore. My Mom and Dad became amazing friends of theirs. I have great memories of New Years Parties with “The Gang” at our house. I remember Dad and Del working on the school skating rink. As we all grew and started our own lives, I decided to become a nurse and was so happy to work with him a couple of years in the Banff Hospital. I was as so thankful to have Dr. Del deliver my kids and have him as our family doctor. After Dr. Del left his practise to move to Cochrane and his ranch, I kept in touch and was able to see his love of the land, animals and his beloved wife Pat. I will miss calling him on his Birthday and of course would have loved to talk to him one more time, but will always remember my last call.
Sending love to his family.
Nancy and Pat Riva
Condolences in the loss of your father. I worked with Del in the old hospital in Banff, our son is one of the many babies he delivered. We saw he and Pat at many functions they would return to Banff to attend over the years. He will be missed by many.
Muriel and Bill Mooney
Our deepest sympathy to all the Tittemore family. I worked for Del for a few years in Cochrane, when he was in partnership with Dr. Dallison. I enjoyed those working years, & have some good memories of that time.
We also saw Pat & Del socially on occasion, & always enjoyed their company.
Del enjoyed his farm a lot, & I always enjoyed hearing about what he was doing out there.
We had an acreage right across the road to the east.
I really admired him for the way he looked after Pat while they were still at Gleneagles.
He will be missed, as is Pat.
Our sincere condolences to all of you.
Kindest Regards,
Joyce & Bob Hipkin
Our condolences on the passing of your father Del. Del and Pat were wonderful neighbors in Gleneagles. We have fond memories of our social hours together and especially the wonderful lobster feasts out on the farm land. Your parents were so kind and unassuming. All of you will miss your Dad’s vast knowledge of every subject and his great sense of humor. Sending our thoughts and condolences to all of you. Jan & Larry
My sincerest condolences to the Tittemore family, Donna, Tom & Joan. Your Dad was such a kind, compassionate man, with a great sense of humor. Memories of Dr Tittemore at the hospital on more than one occasion. He was always there for us kids at the horse corral, lending a hand and many ski races throughout the rockies. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye for all of you. Love to all. Christie Waterworth
Dear Tom and family,
Myrna and I were very much saddened to read your father’s obituary, and it evoked many warm memories. We lived next door to Del and Pat at Origin in Canmore where we were committed to making music l while Pat spent hour after hour socializing with our dog Maggie.
Del was the consummate musician and totally serious about how we played together. He could even on occasion be a practise monster going over the music again and again until it was right. His violin style reminded me of Stephan Grapelli and in my lighter moments I was Jango Reinhardt on guitar. Both feet firmly planted in the clouds!!
We also occasionally played with an assortment of other musicians at the Mineshaft Pub. I can still hear his violin so clear and light as it filled the room. Truly music is one of God’s gifts to be treasured, and so will be my memories of our sessions together.
Condolences to you and your family.
Sincerely
Bill & Myrna Hargrave
Tom, Donna and Joan – so very sad for you to lose your wonderful dad. Our families have been intertwined in so many ways, professionally, in business, as kids growing up, mom’s helping each other – decades of life long friendships. Remarkable our parents spent their last years together in Canmore. I have many happy memories of the Tittemore’s but a more recent one is the happiness on your dad’s face as he played the fiddle accompanied by Joan with our beautiful mom’s sitting side by side singing their hearts out to all their favourite old tunes – The Origin Spring Creek Band! So many amazing memories, another chapter closes for us all. Thinking of you all!
Our condolences to the Tittimore families. We enjoyed visiting Pat and Del in Cochrane. We were very thankful for Del and Joan entertaining for the CHAPS dinners and Doctor Tittimore’s donations to our medical displays. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Take care. From Jim and Lydia Graham
I would like to acknowledge the Dr. Tittimore Family scholarship funds for secondary students for the Canadian Rockies School Division. The fund continues to pay high school students’ scholarships for excellence due to the generosity of the Tittimore family. On behalf of the Canadian Rockies School Division, we pass along our heartfelt condolences to the Tittimore family.
Bruce & Nancy send our condolences to Del’s family. News of his passing has so many memories coming to mind, memories of working together on the farm & the laughter we shared. So glad to have shared a small part of his life. Bruce.