John THOMSON Memoriam

THOMSON, Dr. John Chalmers (1933-2016) Born in Dunedin in 1933 to Catherine Margaret Rout and Chalmers William Thomson, John grew up with his older sister Marian. With "Daisy" unwell, they were raised by housekeepers, notably Elsie Adams, who became part of the family. His happiest memories were playing with his sister and cousins on Uncle Magnus's farm in Southland - making huts in the beech forests, each child given a ridiculous name. Sent to board at Nelson College at eleven, he thrived, becoming the school's top pianist, second violinist, and a medallist in track and field, diving, and gymnastics. Reading the Jungle Doctor series, at twelve John decided to become a doctor. From an early age, he worked during school holidays in his father's concrete factories. The work was harsh - scraping spilled concrete from ship holds - and paid ten shillings an hour. Selected for pilot training with the RNZAF Territorial Reserves and licensed at seventeen, his instructor taught him to stall into a spiral dive. They practised over beaches and picnic areas, watching folk scatter. His favourite memory was dive- bombing Nelson College for Girls during their lunch break. As a medical student he met nurse Lenore (Elizabeth) Murray. They soon married, having daughters Vicki, Nicola, and Jacqueline. At the time, doctors were required to sit specialist exams in the UK. Before leaving, John joked, "When I return, we will have twin boys." Instead of returning to New Zealand, John took a medical post in Essex, Ontario. Within months, Lenore gave birth to Sean and Blair - the twins John had wished for. In 1968, the family moved to nearby Windsor, where John purchased the home and surgery of Dr Harvey Tonken and established a practice with Dr Sheina Handscomb. To attract new patients, he sent 150 invitations to medical contacts for monthly parties with music, wine, and cigarettes. These were happy times, with family yachting and skiing in season. John was convicted by the compassion of medical staff caring for frightened, often difficult patients - which he saw as God's love in action. The contrast with his self- driven life led to a crisis, and after meeting the Reverend Ken Jaggs, he recommitted his faith. Jim Thomson Sr. and his wife Lois, former patients of Dr Tonken, became close mentors. The family returned to New Zealand in 1976, and John resumed full-time work in obstetrics and gynaecology as a locum at St Helens. When a new consultancy was advertised, he was urged to apply. A bitter dispute followed between the hospital board, which backed John, and the outspoken Professor Dennis Bonham, who had promised the post to Dr Emil Nye. The case went to the ombudsman, and the board prevailed. John practised until seventy- four, then retired to launch a photography equipment business that later surpassed ten thousand online sales. After his late-2015 diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, he met his illness with calm faith, saying one should be thankful in all things - even this. In his final days, medication caused confusion and he sometimes mixed up his children's names. When Blair asked, "Who am I?" John replied, smiling, "You are Mr Picklebottle." After his death, his sister Marian explained the origin. As children, the cousins who played on Uncle Magnus's farm had nicknames: Charles was Mr Whistle-Thrush, Margaret was Mrs Vanderbilt, Marian was Mrs Peasbody, Catherine was Mrs Snodgrass, Eric had his own - and John was Mr Picklebottle. John died ten years ago today.