Change Is the Law of Life*

By Stephanie Roberts

SG 22 was the site of a farewell party for Les Boehm, who for more than 17 years oversaw research operations and business development at Sunnybrook Research Institute. Staff, scientists and students dropped by to wish him well.

Speeches were given, as they usually are at this sort of thing. Most moving of all were the extemporaneous words offered by Boehm. He spoke with deep knowledge and passion about the history and state of public health care delivery in Canada and the need for creative leaders who understand the complexity of the Canadian system (admired worldwide) and have what it takes to continue to innovate if we as a country are not only to succeed as a knowledge-based economy, but also to live up to our hard-earned reputation. The room was enrapt.

This audio aficionado, lover of peaty whisky, and champion of those who work hard and have good hearts will be missed by many. Boehm continues to teach at the University of Toronto’s Trinity College, whose dean said he was delighted he could now expand the courses taught by Boehm, which are oversubscribed.

A highlight of the event was Boehm’s pleasure in the bespoke cake baked for him. Atop it were edible replicas of a few of his favourite things: a McIntosh preamplifier, bottle of Lagavulin whisky and stack of history books. As everyone partook of the cake, one-half of it carrot, his favourite flavour, the wholly felt hope was that he would, indeed, enjoy a few of his favourite things, and many more on top of those, as he went forth.

*From an address by John F. Kennedy, a leader admired by Boehm: “Address in the Assembly Hall at the Paulskirche in Frankfurt,” June 25, 1963, Public Papers of the Presidents: John F. Kennedy, 1963.