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Dr. Reynolds has a special place in my heart

My heart was broken when I heard the horrendous news of Dr. Walter Reynolds’ cold-blooded murder in Red Deer.
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My heart was broken when I heard the horrendous news of Dr. Walter Reynolds’ cold-blooded murder in Red Deer.

I’m still reeling from the shock of this horrific tragedy as I try to put my thoughts down on paper, so to speak.

I remember when my wife and I first went in to see Dr. Reynolds many years ago, and his casual remark that we were among his first patients in Red Deer.

That was in the first clinic he had originally “hung up his shingle” in the city, which was in the Deer Park area at the time, but has since closed, if I’m not mistaken.

When he moved to the Village Mall clinic, we couldn’t help but to follow him right along. To think that he was so horrifically murdered in one of the very examination rooms in which he often treated our various maladies is almost too horrible to believe.

Dr. Reynolds was probably the kindest and most caring doctor I’ve ever known, and I’ve come to know a lot, ever since he made the preliminary diagnosis of my having contracted leukaemia in 2006.

The way he went about telling me in that calm yet concerned attitude of his made all the difference, and for that alone, he will always have a special place in my heart.

When he immediately sent me off to see an oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, I really wasn’t too upset over it and I credit this to his laid back yet, compassionate nature.

Because of the increasing complexity of my deteriorating condition, I saw Dr. Reynolds almost once a week for the next few years, until circumstances forced us to leave Red Deer, and even then, it took another year to finally admit that the long trip to go see him was just too much for me.

Although I’ve had many competent, caring doctors since, none have displaced Dr. Reynolds from his high standing, both in my heart and my mind.

My heart and my prayers go out to his wife and children. I can’t imagine the pain they’re suffering after this senseless, dreadful tragedy.

There’s no replacing a man like Walter Reynolds, ever. Not in our community, but especially not in our hearts.

Jim Verreault, Edmonton