Josef Petr Skala

Born 15.8.1941 in Prague, Czech Republic

Died 22.9. 2021 in Vancouver

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Josef Skala. Josef was beloved father to his sons Peter (wife Tonee, grandchildren Daniel & Valentina) and Martin (wife Jennifer, grandchildren Jordan & Kaylie) and long-term partner to Eva Solar-Kinderman.

Josef was an extraordinary personality and human being. His life was a testament to living fully, with a keen sense of responsibility toward bettering lives and fostering education. He utilized his extraordinary talents and capabilities for the benefit of both science and art.

Josef had an impressive career. He obtained his PhD in physiology at UBC in 1972, went to Hammersmith Hospital in London for a Fellowship from 1972 to 1973, and became Medical Research Council Scholar in UBC's departments of pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology between 1975 and 1980. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1977 and became a full Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics-Gynecology in 1984. In the early 1990s, Dr. Skala was invited to be a Visiting Professor at the Charles University in Prague, where he helped to establish the first bone marrow transplant program.

Until his retirement in 1998, Josef was associated with the development and operation of the bone marrow transplant program at UBC. His unique position was instrumental toward the creation of official collaboration between the Charles University and UBC.

In 2010, Dr. Josef Skala became the 45th recipient of the CMA F.N.G. Starr Award for his spectacular contribution to science and the arts. This award was but one of Josef’s many outstanding and inspiring achievements, and one of his proudest.

Josef was an actor, theatre director, and co-founder of the Theatre Around the Corner, which provided high quality theater performances for members of Vancouver’s Czech community. There was little Josef could not do. He was a true renaissance man with a profound sense of humour and irony. He also enjoyed the outdoors, photography, travel, and cooking for his family. Throughout his life he was active, playing various sports. He especially loved playing tennis and skiing.

Though Josef leaves a formidable legacy, his greatest achievement, according to him, was his family. In his own words, his family was “the best possible blessing ever bestowed upon him”.

Josef touched the lives and souls of many and will be greatly missed.

Rest peacefully, we will meet you in the Akashic Field.