Tribute to Dr. Stewart Holmes

By Joan Janzen

The community of Eston and surrounding district was saddened last week to hear of the passing of Dr. Stewart Holmes, who served the community of Eston for many years. He was not only their doctor but a good friend as well.

He became a doctor in 1930 at Winnipeg, Man. He returned to Eston to help his dad, Dr. Samuel Holmes, in his private medical clinic. After 88 years, the family-run medical clinic closed in 2018; Dr. Holmes had retired four years previously at 86 years.

Many of his patients drove a considerable distance to see him, as he always made a heroic effort in determining a correct diagnosis, making referrals to specialists when necessary. All the specialists knew him in Saskatoon.

Even after retiring, Dr. Holmes still phoned some of the senior citizens in Eston to check up on them. He maintained a strong sense of community and found it difficult to slow down after being accustomed to being on call 24/7.

He attributed his love of the work and his dedication to the people of Eston and district for keeping him going all those years. That dedication included accompanying many patients on ambulance rides and making the occasional house call. While many people choose to retire at 65 years of age, Dr. Holmes once said, “At age 65, I was in my prime!”

Everyone in the community is sure to have a personal story to recall about Dr. Holmes. Years ago, two junior high students challenged the good doctor to give the definitions of the most difficult words they could find. The doctor met the challenge by accurately defining each and every word.

One man recalls being hurt while working on a cultivator and sliced his head open. As a result, he had to have his head shaved before receiving stitches. Dr. Holmes leaned back, then leaned forward with his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth in his typical fashion. Responding with his unique sense of humour, he told his patient, “The stitches don’t run at a high cost, but the hair cut does.”

Eston and area residents said he was a true rural doctor. Someone observed that no matter what your background was, he treated everybody with respect and honour. He gave first-class care to the people of Eston and the area, and he was well-loved as a result. His patients said if you called him in an emergency, he would be there immediately.

Dr. Holmes described his many years of service as a stimulating experience. As for his many patients, they thought of him as a caring doctor and an equally caring friend, who will be dearly missed.

Dr. Stewart Holmes captures with his typical stance, pacing with hands behind his back.