EBERHARD, Dr. R. Stuart M. Eberhard

Passed away peacefully at London Health Sciences Centre University Hospital in his 84^th year.  Stu leaves behind his beloved spouse Jeannette (O’Brien) of 45 years, six children, and 13 grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Barbara (Knighton) in 1975.

Stu took pride in the lives and accomplishments of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren:  Amy of St. Thomas, Joshua (Shari) of Dallas, Benjamin (Shale) of Whitehorse, Matthew (Emma) of London, Jonathan (Bethany) of Kimberley, and David (Sarah) of Halifax. Devoted Grandpa to James and Anna-Clare Leeke (father Julian); Amanda and Jacob (mother late Michelle); Lillian, Oliver (a.k.a. Rudy), and Arthur; Clarke and Weston; Alfred and Alexander; and Charlie and Isabel.

Stu was the firstborn of the late Helen (Janes) (2006) and R.S. (Rudy) Eberhard (1988). Predeceased by brother John Janes Eberhard (Frances Wigston) of London, survived by sisters Elizabeth Jane Eberhard of London and the Hon. Margaret (Peggy) Eberhard (partner of Tom Bryson; former spouse of the late Dr. Brian McGugan) of Orillia. Also survived by a blessing of nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law.

Stu was a loyal son of London’s Old North neighbourhood. Other than a short stint in Vancouver during his medical residency, and a year in the territory of the Norway House Cree First Nation with Barbara, working as locum physician and community health nurse, he lived his entire life in and around the Forest City. Stu attended Ryerson P.S., Central Secondary School, and Western University, where he received his Doctor of Medicine in 1967. Stu was an Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine, where he specialized in Internal Medicine with an interest in Gastroenterology, practicing at LHSC Victoria Hospital for 40+ years and traveling weekly to see patients at Kincardine and Four Counties Hospitals. Stu was known as an outstanding diagnostician and clinical instructor. He also served in administrative roles as Chair of the Victoria Hospital Medical Advisory Committee and Chair of the School of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine.

Stu had a lifelong connection with First-St. Andrew’s United Church and followed in his father Rudy’s footsteps for local politics and community volunteerism. He was elected to the Delaware Municipal Council and the Middlesex Board of Education, partnered with Sandi Caplan to create the Heart-to-Heart post cardiac education program, sat on the Board of the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Rotary Club of London, the Harvey Club, and the London Affordable Housing Foundation. Internationally, Stu was a physician volunteer with the Operation Walk program in Guatemala.

Despite his long list of professional and community volunteer work, when asked, Stu said his fondest memories were those of his two marriages, his children and grandchildren. He took his children’s education seriously, keenly interested in what they had learned at school and ribbing them to explain ‘what happened to the other five marks’ on nearly perfect math tests.

Stu loved his northern summers at the family cottage on White Bear Island, Lake Temagami. Although he was a reluctant water baby, he loved to putter around his cabin and watch the family in action; fishing, swimming, boating, and waterskiing. Stu enjoyed golf and bridge at the Hunt Club, even if his scores showed that the games didn’t always love him back. He was a news hound and an avid watcher of sports, whether it was cursing the Toronto Blue Jays, rooting for the Western Mustang football team, or cheering on his children and grandchildren while at their many sports and artistic pursuits.

Stu, ever known for his wry wit, made Jeannette promise to end his obituary by telling everyone that if they were reading this that he was mad as hell to be gone too soon.

Thanks to the ER, CNS, medicine, SAMU, and palliative care teams at University Hospital for the professional and compassionate care provided to Stu and his family during the last weeks of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the First-St. Andrew’s United Church Eberhard Music Fund, the Stu and Jeannette Eberhard Community Fund of the London Community Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be offered from 2:00-5:00pm on Sunday, March 8 at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James Street at Richmond, London, Ontario.

A celebration of life will be held at First-St. Andrew’s United Church, 350 Queens Avenue, London on Monday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Joshua Lawrence officiating. The live-stream of Stu’s Celebration of Life will be available at: https://youtube.com/live/nduGN6-ZlZo