Who was Dr. R.E. McKechnie?

Dr. Robert E. McKechnie was born in Brockville, Ontario, on April 25, 1861. He completed his secondary school education in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and in 1886, began his studies at McGill University. He received a medical degree from McGill in 1890. He was elected the first president of the British Columbia Medical Association in 1899. In 1904, he moved his practice to Vancouver, where he remained for the rest of his career. He was a long time staff member of the Vancouver General Hospital and was a member of the Board of Directors as well as a Life Governor. In addition to his medical career, Dr. McKechnie was actively associated with the establishment and development of the University of British Columbia. Dr. R E McKechnie Elementary School was opened by Dr. Wallace Wilson on November 22, 1957.