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VOLUME 17, NO. 1 FEBRUARY 2007 The Doctors Lander By Jack Switzer Much has already been written about Both Harry and David Lander were Dr. David Lander, who practiced medicine born in Russia, Harry in 1903 and David in in the towns of Black Diamond and Turner 1912. Their families immigrated to Win- Valley from 1937 to 1990. In 2006 David nipeg about 1922. Harry was able to Lander was named one of the Physicians of study medicine at the University of Mani- the Century by the Alberta Medical Associ- toba. In 1927 he set up a practice in east- ation. It is therefore timely to re-tell his central Alberta, at Veteran. One source story, and bring into it the somewhat over- cites him as a doctor in nearby Hemarus- looked career of his mentor, partner and ka, as well. (Many country doctors and cousin, Dr. Harry Lander. other professionals traveled a circuit of In the “Oilfields” – the name then given neighbouring communities.) to the adjoining foothills towns that His younger cousin, David Lander, sped housed about 2,000 people – both doc- through public school, finishing high tors were equally notable. The Oilfields school at 16. After two years of Arts at the boomed after oil strikes near Turner Valley University of Manitoba, he entered the Dr. Harry Lander. Photo courtesy of Bill Locke (notably in 1914 and 1936); oil and gas Faculty of Medicine at the University of and Cindy (Locke) Pock. development dotted the area with wells, Alberta, and brought his parents and sib- pipelines, refineries, and extraction plants. lings to Edmonton with him. doctors. Drill-rig accidents were common, It was Canada’s largest oilfield until the David recalled, “My father, who was a and there were occasional explosions and much bigger Leduc field began produc- labourer, could never afford to send me to other industrial mishaps. Farms and ranch- tion in 1947. University. It was through the generosity of es also provided patients. As well, there Doctor Harry Lander, a cousin, that the was the usual family practice work. But a expense of my education was paid.” doctor could make a living. Most families David Lander became an M.D. in 1936, had a breadwinner, and the oil companies and took a job as a staff doctor at the Oliv- subsidized hospital operations, donated er mental hospital, just outside Edmonton. ambulances, and provided volunteers to He disliked the institution’s custodial help the local medical group. emphasis, and quit after a year (during which he became a qualified pharmacist) Continued on Page 2 to join Harry Lander in Veteran. The cousins soon moved on to their new prac- tice at Turner Valley/Black Diamond. In this Issue: The first mention of the Landers’ The Doctors Lander...........................1 arrival was in a Black Diamond newspa- President’s Message ..........................2 Louie Bikman – An Enterprising per in July, 1937. “Dr. Harry Landers from Life on the Border..........................4 eastern Alberta has been looking over the Photos to Identify..............................5 oilfields. He contemplates practicing in Eva Brewster Focus of the locality, providing suitable hospital Lethbridge Holocaust Event ...........6 facilities can be provided. He is a noted Oral History Workshop with and capable surgeon.” Bertha Gold ...................................8 Dr. David Lander. Photographer: Gordon The oilfields were a busy place for the JHSSA News ......................................8 Charmbury, Courtland’s Studio, Calgary. You can support this publication through becoming a Discovery sponsor. 2 THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA FEBRUARY 2007 The Doctors Lander Continued from Page 1 President’s An Oilfields history, In the Light of the ing – to mental health issues. Flares, notes: “The doctors (Harry and His interest in psychosomatic medicine, David Lander) were instrumental in start- begun during his brief service at the Oliver Message ing the Turner Valley Hospital and worked mental hospital, became, thirty years later, Sheldon Smithens hard getting additions and better equip- an important mission for Doctor Dave. ment. They were available whenever He advocated non-judgmental, com- I am pleased to head a new needed, be it nights or weekends and passionate and personal care. and enthusiastic board of direc- always with compassion. They would rush He was among to first to suggest that tors of the JHSSA. We continue to an accident or an emergency whenev- many illnesses were not wholly physical – to receive exciting valuable addi- er called.” that sorrow, stress and loneliness con- tions to our archives and library. Former patients of the Doctors Lander tributed to many of the symptoms pre- Thank you to all those who have are quoted in the sidebar to this article. sented by his patients. David Lander took The memories – and memorials – indicate time to counsel his patients, to urge made recent donations. the high esteem in which the cousins were social involvement, physical intimacy, I often find myself thinking held, and illustrate some of their more vex- and positive attitudes to overcome z”l about Jay Joffe . His influence ing and dramatic cases. depression and anxiety. and his presence are still with David Lander’s family, including his par- His grand-niece, Cindy Pock, says David those of us interested in the Jew- ents, Isaac and Rose Lander, came with Lander brought the ethics and teachings ish Historical Society of Southern him to the Oilfields. His brother, pharma- of the Torah into his work. “He believed in Alberta (JHSSA), especially in this cist Ralph Lander, later came and opened Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – in fine publication, Discovery. Jay a drug store in Black Diamond. honouring and dignifying of our elders, Harry Lander was by now married to and living in harmony with our family and left us with a solid foundation. Dave’s sister, Adela. They raised three chil- our neighbours.” Our exhibit, and indeed one dren, Clarice, Coleman, and David in Black In 1985 David Lander traveled to of Jay’s many achievements, A Diamond. About 1947 Harry moved his Israel, to attend the First World Congress Joyful Harvest, has gained family to a house on Carleton Street in Cal- on Drugs and Alcohol, held in Tel Aviv. momentum since the inaugura- gary, but continued to work a full schedule He presented a paper titled “Treatment tion at the Beth Tzedec and sub- at the Doctors Lander Oilfields practice. of Alcoholism by the Family Physician”, sequent Medicine Hat run at the The Oilfields history recalls: “Dr. Harry but was concerned that his message had was especially patient with the older and not been heard by the Israeli health Esplanade. It will soon return the terminally ill and they all loved him. establishment. from a most successful showing During the year of his own terminal illness, A few months later he wrote to a friend at the Provincial Archives of he showed great courage by carrying on in Israel, Faye Parks-Micay: “Since alco- Alberta in Edmonton. with his duties until just a few weeks holism is not regarded as an illness, many A Joyful Harvest is a treasure before his death.” areas of the country (Israel) have inade- that the entire Jewish communi- Harry died in 1963, after 36 years as a quate or no services for alcoholics and this ty can take pride in. I look for- country doctor. Adela passed away in Cal- causes needless deaths and unnecessary ward to seeing JHSSA members, gary in 1980. suffering of not only alcoholics but also Just after Harry’s death, the town of their families.” family and friends at the exhibit Turner Valley built the community’s first Honours from his peers, his patients, opening ceremonies at the Glen- swimming pool, and named it in honour and the community were many – a few are bow Museum in June. We also all of Doctors David and Harry Lander. listed in an adjoining column, as are some look forward to the publication David Lander doctored on. Two of the articles written by – and in praise of of the book version of younger doctors had come to the Oil- – Doctor Dave. A Joyful Harvest at that time. fields, so he was able to spend more time Doctor David Lander never married. He This issue of Discovery features public speaking and crusading for his died in Calgary on July 5, 1993. In 2038 a medical reforms. time capsule in the cornerstone of the Oil- the stories of Jews who were A heart condition forced David Lander fields General Hospital will be opened. In it active outside the larger urban to retire from active practice in 1970, after are some of the medical instruments Harry centres. It highlights the JHSSA’s serving the oilfields for 33 years. He moved and David Lander used in Black Diamond commitment to record and pre- to Calgary and continued his advocacy and Turner Valley, including a “maternity serve the history of the Jewish work. He was tireless in his efforts to estab- bag’ they used for home deliveries. community throughout south- lish alcoholism as a treatable disease, to The people of the Oilfields will not soon ern Alberta. give more dignity (and fewer drugs) to the forget the Doctors Lander. elderly, and to bring attention – and fund- Continued on Page 3 FEBRUARY 2007 THE JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA 3 The Doctors Lander Remembered Recollections by former patients tracting polio in 1938. Irene Zack was show the challenges the doctors regu- pregnant at the time, and Doctor Dave larly faced, and the skill they brought to (as he became known to his patients) their work. attended the birth to a healthy daughter, “One of Doctor Harry’s patients tells of Naomi.

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