Caldwell, Heimbecker to receive Honourary Degrees

Posted May 25, 1999


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 25, 1999
99-05-13-OTHER

Caldwell, Heimbecker To Receive Honourary
Degrees at Spring Convocation

Geologist W. G. E. Caldwell and cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Raymond
O. Heimbecker are this year's recipients of Honourary Degrees at Spring
Convocation.

Dr. Caldwell came to the University of Saskatchewan in 1957 after
obtaining his Ph.D. in geology from the University of Glasgow in
Scotland. At the U. of S. Caldwell began an illustrious 31 year career
in geological sciences where he was Department Head from 1972-
1988.

Caldwell's scientific and geological research spans nearly five decades
and has focused on the dynamically changing inland seaway which,
in the Cretaceous Age (65-145 million years ago), stretched from the
Arctic to the Gulf Coast. This research contributed greatly to mapping
the rocks of the Cretaceous Age created from sediments in this vast
sea, especially the strata of its Western region, which included
Saskatchewan. Caldwell's findings have provided a model for the
study of parallel systems elsewhere on the globe.

Two major publications flowed from this research: The Cretaceous
System in the Western Interior of North America (1975) and
Evolution of the Western Interior Basin (1994). The latter
has been reviewed as "among the most important contributions to...
Cretaceous geology...in decades."

During his 16 years as Head of the Geological Sciences Department at
the U. of S., Dr. Caldwell led the department to the forefront of the
geological community in Canada. Modernization of curriculum,
superlative recruitment, and acquisition of state-of-the-art
equipment marked his leadership.

Dr. Caldwell has also received other honours which include being
named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1979, winning an
Ambrose Medal in 1989 for his "sustained distinguished service to
the earth sciences of Canada", and in 1995 being named a
Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

After leaving the University of Saskatchewan in 1988, Dr. Caldwell
served as Professor of Geology and Vice-President (Research) at the
University of Western Ontario from 1988-96. Since 1996 he has been
an Honourary Professor at the University of Hong Kong.

Calgary born Raymond O. Heimbecker received his B.A. at the
University of Saskatchewan, and completed his clinical training at the
University of Toronto leading to an M.D. degree in 1947.

In 1955 Dr. Heimbecker became a member of the Active Staff of the
Department of Surgery at U. of T. and Research Associate for the
Ontario Heart Foundation, leading to a position as Cardiovascular
Consultant to the Wellesely Hospital in 1962. Along the way he
obtained his M.A. in Physiology and his M.S. in Surgery.

Dr. Heimbecker's achievements and accolades are outstanding. He
has won the George Peters Award for Experimental Surgery, the
Lister Award for Experimental Surgery, the Gold Medal of the Royal
College of Surgeons of Canada, and a Special Award from the Rose
Foundation of India for pioneer teaching and research in
Cardiovascular Disease.

Dr. Heimbecker is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of
Canada, the American College of Surgeons, the American Surgical
Association, the American College of Cardiology, the American College
of Chest Physicians. In 1974, he was chosen to become the first
Professor and Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery in the new University
Hospital in London, Ontario.

Aside from his medical accomplishments, Dr. Heimbecker is an
artisan with a workshop in his home. He has designed prototypes of
instruments used in the operating room, including a instrument for
prolonged microscopic observation of living tissues. He also
developed a pump oxygenator built into a patient stretcher that can
keep patients alive and transportable until open heart surgery can
be set up.

Dr. Heimbecker currently resides with his wife, Kathy, in
Collingwood, Ontario and pursues a wide variety of hobbies that
include flying, sailing, photography, skiing, fishing, and raising game
birds.

Honourary Doctor of Laws degrees will be awarded to Drs. Caldwell
and Heimbecker at this year's Spring Convocation ceremonies on May
25 and 26.


For more information, contact:

Norma McBain, Office of the Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4632