REMEMBERING DR. REYNOLDS
Medical association organizes vigils for physician killed in Red Deer
Members of the Alberta Medical Association and other supporters hold a candlelight vigil Friday evening at city hall in honour of Dr. Walter Reynolds, who was killed in his Red Deer clinic Aug. 10.
Dozens of people attended a vigil outside Edmonton City Hall Friday evening for a family doctor who was killed at a walk-in clinic in central Alberta earlier this week.
Dr. Walter Reynolds, a 45-yearold father of two girls, died in hospital after he was attacked Monday morning at the Village Mall clinic in Red Deer.
The Alberta Medical Association organized vigils in Red Deer and Edmonton to honour his memory Friday. Doctors who attended were asked to wear white lab coats or white clothing.
In Edmonton, people stood in silence, heads bowed, outside the south entrance of City Hall. In the middle of the gathering was a large bouquet of white flowers and an assortment of candles. A box was set up for visitors to drop off cards for the Reynolds family.
People were asked to spend 15 minutes reflecting before making room for others.
Dr. Sue Reed, an anesthesiologist at the Grey Nuns Hospital, helped organize the Edmonton vigil to bring the medical community, as well as Reynolds’ patients, together.
“When a tragedy like this happens, you need a sense of community to be able to process and move on and feel supported,” Reed said. “I think for everyone, but particularly perhaps within the physician community, that’s really important now, that we have an opportunity to come together, physically distant, but connected to support each other (in) the grief and the shock.”
Christina and Joel Rathjen attended the vigil with their daughters Jude and Sophia, who Reynolds delivered. Christina Rathjen said Reynolds, who had been their doctor for about 12 years before they moved to Edmonton, was a fantastic doctor who provided exceptional patient care.
“He was very good at everything he did,” said Rathjen. “He was a good doctor before he had kids. But there was something about after he had kids. He got even better. It was like his kids made him even better and I just would want his family to know that.”
The clinic where Reynolds worked has described him as a devoted husband, father and doctor who came to Canada from South Africa in 2003.
Reynolds and his wife, Anelia, first lived in Manitoba then moved to Red Deer in 2006, said a statement from the Village Mall clinic.
“From the delivery room to the hospice, he dedicated himself 100 per cent,” the statement said.
“If there was a task at work that needed to be done, he would step up to the plate. If a patient needed help, he walked the extra mile ... and then some.”
Reynolds and his wife were often seen jogging around the neighbourhood. He was an avid runner, often participating in marathons and mud races, the clinic said.
“If there was a campsite to explore, then they were there. Always exploring, always an adventure, always on the move ... so full of life.”
Deng Mabiour, 54, is charged with first-degree murder in Reynolds’ death, as well as assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.
Police have said Mabiour and Reynolds knew each other through the clinic, but did not say whether Mabiour was a patient.
One witness told media that she heard cries for help and a man in the clinic had a hammer and a machete.
Police have released few details about the accused, but an acquaintance of Mabiour said the 54-yearold came to Canada from South Sudan.
Deng Wil Luol Deng, who lives in South Sudan but knows Mabiour from the community in Red Deer, said earlier this week he was shocked by the allegations.
The Sudanese Community of Central Alberta said in a statement Friday that they “strongly condemn the senseless killing of our friend, citizen and loving doctor.”
“We want the family of Dr. Reynolds to know that we are deeply sorry for your loss, and we share in your pain,” said the statement signed by the community group’s chairman, Justin Jukeria.
“Dr. Reynolds was one of the best doctors in our beloved city of Red Deer. He was a fabulous and loving physician who has served our community and the wider Red Deer community with integrity, care, compassion, selflessness and dignity.”
The group said they are keen to know what allegedly transpired between Reynolds and Mabiour, adding that they strongly believe in the Canadian legal system.
Mabiour appeared in court via video Wednesday, saying he “doesn’t remember” and is sick and needs a doctor. His case was put over to September.
A Gofundme page was set up to raise funds for the education of Reynolds’ children. It reached more than $250,000 Friday morning.
When a tragedy like this happens, you need a sense of community to be able to process and move on and feel supported.