David Joseph Fairholm (October, 1942 – September, 2026)

It is difficult to summarize the life of David Fairholm. He was a farm boy, neurosurgeon, educator, mentor, adventurer, and champion with a deep love for his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family.

Starting life in rural northern Alberta, he decided at the age of 4 that he wanted to be a doctor. At age 16 he was enrolled at the University of Alberta, which resulted in his first medical degree in 1965. From there he interned at the Calgary General Hospital, where he encountered Judi, a student nurse, and a hospital romance that led to a life-long commitment.

Dave’s desire to be a doctor was fed by a deep belief in service to others and in building local capacity. After one year of surgical training, he and Judi were off to village India where he was called the “boy doctor”.  He learned Hindi, treated villagers and Tibetan refugees, saved lives through clinics, surgery, public health and the first blood transfusion in that area.

Then it was back to Vancouver and a neurosurgical residency which led to a FRCS in neurosurgery, and head of neurosurgery at St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver. In 1979 Dave and his family moved to Taiwan to establish neurosurgery at Chung Gung Memorial Hospital. Learning Mandarin, spending long hours in the operating room, he taught and mentored Taiwanese doctors who now are leaders in neurosurgery.

A return to Vancouver found him heading up the neurosurgical residency program at Vancouver General Hospital and leading curriculum development for UBC medical school. With a post graduate degree from University of Dundee, medical education became his new passion.

In 2005, he started working in Indonesia, where over the next 10 years, he consulted in neurosurgery and became Executive Dean of UPH Medical School, establishing it as a leading medical school. As a board member on the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS) he constantly championed neuro education in local institutions. His awards are many.

David was so much more than a neurosurgeon or educator. He was a man rooted in his family. He was grounded by Judi and his most common question was “Where’s Jude?”.  He deeply supported the dreams and pathways of his three children – Jacinda, Kristi, Shawn – and prioritized adventures, travels, camping and kayaking with them. From cathedrals in Europe, to The Steeples, to Christmas in Panama, to Komoda dragons he was always ready to adventure and learn. 

His “heaven” was his cabin on Anvil Island which he built and shared with extended family and many friends. It was here he truly relaxed by chopping wood, driving the tractor, using his chain saw, listening to classical music, observing birds, “cheating” at cards, or gazing over the ocean to the mountains.

Dave lived a remarkable life. One of kindness, humility, devotion, integrity, and faith. He championed knowledge and goodness in others. His legacy is felt in thousands of lives and in numerous countries. He is survived and loved by his wife, Judi, his children and their families - Jacinda (Eliya, Amalee); Kristi (Ryan, Saidi, Nyomi); Shawn (Elizabeth, Kioshi, Jessica, Nico) – and a large extended family and friends

*A memorial will be held in the spring of 2027. For information: JFairholm@gmail.com

*Suggested donations to carry on his legacy: FIENS https://fiens.org>get-involved>donate