Obituary of Douglas Schmeiser

Douglas A. Schmeiser, S.O.M., Q.C.

May 22, 1934 - April 28, 2018

It is with deep sadness that the family of Douglas Schmeiser announces his passing at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, after a brief illness.

Doug was predeceased by his parents Charles & Elsie Schmeiser, his parents-in-law Alex and Maria Ositis, his sister Doreen Ann and brother-in-law Keith Wiggins, his brother Kenneth, and his son Douglas C. Schmeiser.

Doug is lovingly remembered by his wife of 38 years, Irene (Ositis) Schmeiser; his brothers Percy (Louise) Schmeiser and family, James (Teresa) Schmeiser and family, and sister-in law Larisa Ositis; children Mary Ellen (Darcy) Stann, Robert (Donna) Schmeiser [Robbie (Chelsea), Kaitlyn (Tim) Landeryou [great granddaughter Lilia] and Matthew], Jamie (Vivian) Schmeiser [Peter, Sophia and Veronica], Gary (Janet) Schmeiser [Noah and Nathanial], Peggy (Katrina) Schmeiser-Weggel [Samuel and Kata]; daughter-in-law Phyllis Schmeiser [Stephanie]; and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, Australia, and elsewhere.

He was born in Bruno, SK, attended school there and went on to obtain his B.A. and then LL.B. with Great Distinction at the University of Saskatchewan in 1956. He received his LL.M. (Univ. of Mich.) and was admitted to the SK Bar in 1958 and later completed his Doctorate at the University of Michigan in 1963. He became a tenured professor in 1961, Dean 1974-77, and Professor Emeritus in 1995 at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan.

Other career accomplishments included authoring a number of legal textbooks, Chair of the Law Reform Commission of SK, President of the SK Bar Association, Constitutional Advisor to many Provincial and International Governments, and a prominent role in creation of the Canadian Constitution. He advised and lectured on legal, constitutional and judicial matters in The Maldives, Russia, Sudan, Zimbabwe,Tanzania, Ethiopia, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Ukraine & Latvia. For many years he served as Legal Assessor to the SK College of Physicians and Surgeons and advisor to the SK Veterinary Association.

In 2010 he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the province's highest distinction.

Doug’s interests and activities were many and varied. He loved working on and caring for the land, was an avid birder and fisherman, and served as President of Nature Saskatchewan, and Board Member of Nature Canada. He was a Diamond Life Master in Bridge. He also tried his hand at fiction with the novel, 'A Settling of Accounts', published in 2009. With his cherished wife Irene at his side, he was an accomplished traveller. Together, they explored and built many friendships around the world. He enjoyed time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Doug was a man of faith and strongly believed in building his church and community. He served as President and Campaign Chairman of the Saskatoon United Way, on the boards of St. Paul’s Hospital and Emmanuel Health, and numerous other committees and boards. He financially supported the causes he served, and also contributed to many scholarships and other foundations.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic, and in particular the dedicated staff of the Oncology Ward of Royal University Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name would be appreciated to Friendship Inn, Saskatoon Community Foundation, Hospice and Palliative Care at St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
A Vigil of Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, May 3, 2018 at St. Thomas More College Chapel at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.  The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, May 4, 2018 at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Parish in Saskatoon. The Rite of Committal will take place in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Saskatoon.