Arthur James Hudson
September 8, 2013
Physician, professor, neuroscientist, and author Arthur J. Hudson passed away in his sleep on Sunday, September 8, 2013 on the neurology floor of University Hospital, London, Ontario, where he had practised and taught since 1969. His wife Jean, his children Nicholas (Pamela), Nancy (deceased), Robert, and Anna (Mete), and grandchildren Alexander, Michael, Daniel, Anatole and Aral profoundly mourn his passing, along with his sister Beverley and brother-in-law Drew. Born in 1924 in Toronto, he served as a navigator in the Royal Air Force Transport Command from 1943 to 1945. He earned his M.D. from the University of Toronto in 1950, and having trained under the renowned neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield and Dr. Herbert Jasper at the Montreal Neurological Institute, and at the Montreal General Hospital Research Institute with the biochemist J.H. Quastel, in addition to a clerkship in Neurology and Neuropathology at the National Hospital, Queen’s Square, London U.K. (where he met Jean), he came as a neurologist to the University of Western Ontario in 1958. Along with his medical practice at St. Joseph’s, Victoria and University Hospitals, he was a dedicated researcher in the field of motor-neuron diseases. In 1977, he became a founder of the ALS Society of Canada, and in the same year established the first ALS clinic in Canada and only the second in the world. His achievements led to the creation of the Arthur J. Hudson Chair in ALS Research at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Hudson was director of Medical Research at University Hospital from 1988 to 1996, a member of the Senate of the University of Western Ontario from 1980 to 1982, and of the Board of Governors from 1990 to 1994. In recognition of this outstanding career of research and public service, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Honorary Medal in 2012. He was a man of wide-ranging intellectual interests that continued after his retirement. In addition to his distinguished record of academic articles, he published an edited volume of essays on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Concepts in Pathogenesis and Etiology (1990), and two monographs: The Physiological Basis and Quantum Versions of Memory and Consciousness (2006) and The Evolution of the Eye from Algae and Jellyfish to Humans (2010). Only a day before his passing, he was still conversing about his most recent ideas on creativity (and writing poetry) and the nature of human consciousness in relation to artificial intelligence. He is being interred privately. The memorial service will be conducted at First-St. Andrew’s United Church, 350 Queens Avenue, London, Ontario on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are invited to the ALS Society of Canada (at the link below) or 3000 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 200, Markham, Ontario L3R 4T9 1-800-267-4ALS (4257).
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Jean and family please accept our loving and heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dr. Hudson. He helped our mother in the ALS clinic way back in 1981/82 and we worked closely with him in the early stages of establishing the London branch of the ALS Society. His personal care and professional assistance was always outstanding and appreciated. We would also like to represent Marna/Margaret Bindner in offering her loving condolences and appreciation. Marna was a dedicated volunteer for many years in the ALS clinic in London and worked very closely with Dr. Hudson in establishing both the ALS clinic and London Branch of the ALS Society. If she was able we know she would grieving his loss and present at his memorial. On behalf of Marna and ourselves may God Bless Dr. Hudson and you and your family. Linda & Terry Mcbride
I was saddened to learn of Dr. Hudson's passing. As a friend of son Nick since 1965, I have many fond memories of Dr. Hudson and family. My condolences to Mrs. Hudson, Nick, Rob and Anna. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Bruce Dunn London
Unfortunately I will be out of the country the day of the memorial service for Arthur. My condolences on your loss are heart-felt. I did an elective with Arthur as a medical student, and his influence helped to cement my decision to go into Neurology. I remember as a medical student the day he showed me a patient with palatal myoclonus. Then as a resident working with him in his Wednesday Headache Clinic, the day he had me call Labatt's to ask what was the biochemical difference between ale and lager. I had not believed the patient, who said he got headaches from lager but not ale, but Arthur said "No; this is the third time I've heard that, so we should try to get to the bottom of it". It turned out that lager has a much higher content of phenylethylamine, that had recently been reported to cause headache!. Besides being a scholar and physician, Arthur was a thoughtful, kind, generous and gentle teacher. He is treasured and missed by those of us who knew him, and by our department.
It brought very special memories and heartfelt sadness to read of Arthur's death. I came to know him personally in my capacity as a senior administrator at Western from 1985-1994. Arthur was a very special human being and a wonderful university citizen who served both on the university Senate and the Board of Governors. He was always thoughtful, reasoned and deeply mindful of others. I, like so many others, held Arthur in the highest of regard and his death leaves a major hole in Canada's scholarly medical profession. Such a special man. My condolences to all the members of his family and to all his colleagues. I will miss him.
Mrs. Hudson - Can you remember me from back in the 60's and 70's when Dr. Hudson and Dr. Strickland had a grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association? I was their technician and worked along with the likes of C.H. Lin and Juan Jato - and I am still in touch with them regularly. I regularly picked up muscle samples from Dr. Hudson's patients down at Victoria Hospital. We often have talked about Dr. Hudson and what endeavors he might be up to! I am living in Brantford and am well retired! The Lins are currently on a cruise so will not be able to attend on Saturday and Juan Jato is probably undergoing dialysis by now - you may recall he had a kidney removed shortly after coming to Canada from Spain. I can see that Dr. Hudson had a life well lived. He was a true gentleman.
(Donated to ALS Society of Canada)
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Jean and family please accept our loving and heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dr. Hudson. He helped our mother in the ALS clinic way back in 1981/82 and we worked closely with him in the early stages of establishing the London branch of the ALS Society. His personal care and professional assistance was always outstanding and appreciated. We would also like to represent Marna/Margaret Bindner in offering her loving condolences and appreciation. Marna was a dedicated volunteer for many years in the ALS clinic in London and worked very closely with Dr. Hudson in establishing both the ALS clinic and London Branch of the ALS Society. If she was able we know she would grieving his loss and present at his memorial. On behalf of Marna and ourselves may God Bless Dr. Hudson and you and your family. Linda & Terry Mcbride
~ Linda &Terry McBride