Dr. John William Henry Underwood 1932 – 2018
Passed away unexpectedIy in his 86th year at his Seaforth home approaching Christmas eve, and as he wouId have Iiked; in his favourite chair, aIone with his thoughts, watching TV and Iistening to his favourite radio station aII at the same time. ‘Doc’ was a fierceIy independent thinker and a constant evangeI of his home brewed personaI phiIosophy. He bristIed at the ‘system’, particuIarIy government bureaucracy, and he preached personaI responsibiIity to feeI well and free of anxiety. He was a Iover of nature and preferred to Iet many things be, as a forested yard and unkempt house wouId attest. Born in Sarnia, young John survived poIio as a chiId thanks to the newIy invented iron Iung. Despite a resuIting serious handicap to one of his Iegs young John excelled in sports. He graduated in medicine at Queens University in Kingston where he met his future wife Dr. Anne Iingard. It was at university where he aIso earned a reputation in wrestIing, biIIiards and bridge. Iater he wouId reside in St Marys, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto and Seaforth, pIaces to where his internship and practice Ied him as a GP, surgeon and bone speciaIist. AIong the way he became the father and sometime sports coach to seven chiIdren: David, Stephen, Mark, Peter, Janice and Brian with wife Anne, and then John Balley with Iinda McIachIan. Dr. John is predeceased by his brothers Tom and Fred and his sister Edith, and is survived by his sister-in-Iaw Joan IeMay and brother-in-Iaw Iewis MacRae. He Ieaves behind grandkids colln, MaIIory, Dana, Cameron, Evan, Matthew and great grandson Spencer colln. Our speciaI thanks to Don Matthews of Seaforth who was Iike a guardian angeI to our dad over his Iater years, and to the staff at Seaforth and Stratford hospitaIs who heIped dad through some operations over the Iast year, from which he made speedy recoveries. Up to the end, our father Ioved to sing. In the busier, stressfuI days of dad’s practice it was not unusuaI to hear him singing aIong to Eddy ArnoId’s song, “Make the worId go away, and get if off my shouIders”. Wish granted dear dad. Rest in peace. A brief memoriaI service wiII be heId in the spring at the McGlynn FamiIy FuneraI Home in Seaforth. AvaiIabIe there wiII be free copies of Dr. John’s pubIished 600 page 1991 hardcover book “The EvoIution of RationaI Man”, consisting of his free fIow writing journaIing from 1986 to 1991.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Ann (Rivers) Preszcator
Dear Colin and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Peter and Janis Bisback
Sending condolences to the Underwood Family in the passing of their father, Dr John. He arrived in Seaforth in the spring of 1971 and lived for a few months at my parents ( Rodger and Marjorie Whitman) home,while searching for a home for his family. He constantly teased me about the meals I prepared for all of the men staying for the summer. Peter fell over 50 ft in a workplace accident in Mitchell and Dr John climbed up onto the roof of the building where Peter was lying to assess his injuries. His orthopaedic knowledge made it possible for peter to work as an industrial millwright for over 45 years and we are forever grateful. He could be seen as crusty and argumentative . When our first child as born, he marched into my room at the hospital and said to me, I hear the baby has conjoined toes! Quit feeling sorry for yourself, they could been flippers. I sure snapped out of my funk! Every time we took the baby to the clinic for a well baby visit he would pop into see her and check her hips and he told me she would be a great runner. He was right! We always giggled about Dr Brady having all his boys and Dr Underwood having all his boys and when Dr W joined the clinic , daughters were born to the Underwood’s and Brady’s , He was one of a kind and his kind of family doctor is never to be recreated again. RIP Doc.
Jack Nelemans
Dr. John was our doctor when we lived in Walton. I had many treatments on my sore back, but to no avail. He cured me on my first visit and was my hero ever after. I could go into the clinic without an appointment and he would always treat me as his last patient. He was a great caring doctor and a great person. Seaforth clinic should have been proud to have him on their staff.May he rest in peace and remembered with respect by his children
Nancy (Kunder) Malachowski
Dave, I offer my sympathy to you and your entire family at this difficult time. As a patient at the clinic I always enjoyed your dad’s wit, and he was very kind and thoughtful. Please know you are in my thoughts.
Nancy (Kunder) Malachowski
Our sympathy to &&single&&Doc&&single&&s&&single&& family. He delivered our 1st child. Ever the sports enthusiast, he told my husband he would have time to play his soccer game that day before the baby would be born. Frank was the goalie. Frank opted to stay with me. That will always be a great memory for us. Mary Ann & Frank Verberne
Adeline and Dave McInally
My deepest sympathy to the Underwood family. In our younger years we spent many days with the family in town and at his ranch (as we called it) . We also had him as our family doctor and appreciated his mild manner dealing with us when we needed him.
Ron and Kathy Ward
Sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Underwood. He was a caring Doctor and took time to explain things. Thinking of all the Family during this difficult time.
Mary Verberne
We had Dr. Underwood as our family Doctor until he retired. We enjoyed his philosophical views every time we visited. He was a kind and gentle doctor who delivered all 4 of our children. His bedside humour was calming and greatly appreciated. Deepest sympathy to the Underwood family. Richard and Mary Verberne
Gerry Cooper
Years ago, I had a work related injury and would have lost one of my hands if it had not been for Doc Underwood&&single&&s surgical skills – I am forever grateful that he chose our wonderful little hospital where each patient was treated as a “person”! Rest in peace!
Joan Underwood LeMay
I will always treasure the hours spent with my husbandTom Underwood and his brother John as young people. His brothers Tom and Fred and sister Edith are once again together. Memories are forever RIP.
Carolanne Doig
To the Underwood family sincere condolences from the Doig family.
Pauline Linton, RN
Having worked with Doc Underwood for many years, I remember him most for his smile…especially after imparting much of his wit and wisdom on, well, whoever would listen. He loved his pipe, a good joke and a big old bowl of leek soup. RIP Johnny….
Colin Underwood
Grandpa Underwood and I didn&&single&&t have a lot of conversations, but the ones we did, were meaningful. He had thought provoking questions and comments that would leave you wondering when you left the room. In our conversations, sometimes silence was a blessing, and I appreciated that then and now. He reminded me that not everything needs to be said. Grandpa saw life through a different lens, but in the end, he lived a life of selflessness with his patients as his drive. Thanks for everything you&&single&&ve done in the medical community and for preserving nature as life untouched. RIP Doc.
Bev Smith
My condolences to the family of Dr. John Underwood. During my employment at Seaforth Hospital, we often took a few moments to share a laugh or two, or a funny saying. Yes, I remember others saying that he always sang Eddie Arnold songs while he was in the Operating Room. Lots of good memories. Rest in peace, Doc.
Michelle
My condolences and prayers are sent. May Doc Underwood rest in peace
Anonymous
Wishing you all healing with your memories of Doc. He was quite a character & added colour to the neighbourhood. Such an interesting life he led & in such he was an interesting man. Blessings to you all. -Rick & Carolyn Powell
Betsy and Lorne Bakker
Our deepest condolences to all of Docs family , to those I knew and grew up with, I have many fond memories, as our family dr and friend. To the times he saved my life providing that house call when I was having Asthma attacks, but of coarse spending a few hrs with dad while they played crib smoked and probably had a few. He was a good friend to my dad and was there when he was brought to hospital.
For the times our parents went on holiday together, these were all cherish moments that mom would mention is she could remember.
He was a big part of our lives , he will be missed. Even though he loved his alone time I always thought of him when in Seaforth to visit mom, and on the odd occasion we would see him and say hello.
Remember the good times. Hugs to you all
Betsy
SusanNigh
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Doc was such an extraordinary man, he delivered both of my children in Seaforth. And stitched up Rob many times. He always had something funny to say, we had many laughs through out the years. He will be remembered by many!
Robert &Susan Nigh
JC
Dear Family,
During this time of sorrow, may you find comfort in God&&single&&s promise that he is near to those broken at heart and crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18. May happy memories of Dr. John Underwood be with you always.