At approx. 3pm on Oct 7th in Fort Nelson, residents lined the streets to bid farewell to Dr. & Mrs. Kenyon after the couple's contributions to the community, spanning 7 decades...
Anthony Kenyon, born and raised in England, graduated in medicine at Cambridge University (1958 and married in 1959 after finishing his internship. He then worked for three years in hospitals in Central Africa and his wife worked in the Central African Mail when they were not in small bush stations. He completed his surgical training in the UK and Canada intending to return to Africa.
In 1966 he arrived in Fort Nelson with his wife and three-year-old daughter to take on a four-month locum in the area. The resident physician, Dr. Damian Metten, offered a partnership in the clinic, whereupon his four months of locum stretched to more than forty years of practice.
Dr. Anthony Kenyon provided first-rate medical services to Fort Nelson. Many residents were cared for by him as infants and spent the majority of their lives under his care. Dr Kenyon helped establish the first Emergency Medical Response team in the region, increasing remote survival rates. Through scholarships, instruction and residency training Dr. Kenyon worked to develop and stabilize the northern medical system. He was officially recognized by The B.C. Achievement Foundation and is the recipient of many other prestigious awards including the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).
He is also a recognized author. Dr Anthony Kenyon’s book, The Recorded History of the Liard Basin, 1790–1910, is a definitive history of the Liard Basin—where BC joins Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
A few years before Dr. Kenyon’s arrival the famous “Ma” Murray (Margaret Murray) started a newspaper, The Fort Nelson News. After the subsequent editor Bob (R.L.) Angus died in 1974, the Kenyons bought the paper. Judith Kenyon was the Editor of the newspaper from 1974 until it was closed several years ago. The community is grateful for the work Judith did in running the community newspaper.
The Kenyon's are relocating to be with family. May the wind be at your backs. Your legacy in Northeast B.C. will endure for all time.
