Kamloops has lost a giant. A man who accomplished more in one lifetime then many could in three, Dr. Gur Singh has died today (March 24) after battling ALS.
Gur and wife Manju arrived in Kamloops 1967. They had two children, Arjun, a Kamloops city councilman and Sabina, one daughter-in-law, Marsha, and two grandchildren, Joss and Cella.
Singh was a neurologist by profession and as highly regarded as a specialist could be. It was said the doctor was even called to examine American president JFK after his assassination.
Singh established the first Neurosurgical Unit in Interior BC and the first Neuro Intensive Care unit in British Columbia. He was Chief of Surgery and President of the Kamloops Medical Society.
The doctor was on the board of the British Columbia Medical Association for 15 years, serving as its President from 1991-1992. He also served on the board of the Canadian Medical Association where he was awarded Senior Membership in 2001.
The Singh Family. Photo Credit: KBIA Golf Tournament
In addition to medicine, Singh was the President of the downtown Rotary Club where he initiated the smoke awareness program for elementary schools in the Kamloops school district.
An active sportsman, he represented his medical school on the cricket, badminton and tennis teams. He would later serve as the Kamloops Tennis Association’s president and sponsor the Dalin-Singh Men’s Doubles Tournament.
Combining his medical background and love of sport, Singh started the Annual Invitational Gur Singh Golf Tournament in 2004 to benefit the Kamloops Brain Injury Association. Since its initiation is has raised over a million dollars.
Awards received by Dr. Singh:
1992-Canada 125th Anniversary Commemorative Medal
2002-Queen’s Jubilee Medal
2008-Silver Medal of Service (highest honour bestowed by the BC Medical Association)
2008-United Way Volunteer of the Year
2011-Cam Coady Medal
Councilman Arjun Singh and Dr. Gur Singh. Photo Credit: Arjun Singh/Facebook
