ForeverMissed
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Peter Schieldrop, who left us on May 17, 2021, surrounded by family at his home in Sidney. 

Peter was born in Watford, England in 1938 and trained as a physician at King’s College Hospital, University of London and then qualified as a psychiatrist a few years later.  It was during this time that he met and married his wife and the love of his life, Eileen, in 1963. With a leap of faith, Peter and Eileen moved to Canada in 1968 and settled in Vancouver with their young family.  It was a move they never regretted, loving and appreciating all that Canada had to offer. Peter worked in Vancouver and then moved to Port Alberni in 1973 to become the first psychiatrist to practice in that city.  In 1979 he began his career in Victoria, which spanned the next 34 years.  His career passion was the treatment of schizophrenia - he had a special empathy for those suffering from severe mental illness. He was instrumental in opening the Victoria chapter of the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society and was one of the founders of the psychiatric unit Seven Oaks. He also served as Chief of Psychiatry for the Greater Victoria Hospital Society for a number of years.  He retired at the age of 75 after working 8 years at the Canadian Forces Base, Esquimalt. 

He spent his retirement in Sidney, where he enjoyed peaceful days with Eileen; reading and sharing with his book club; visiting his family in Victoria, Stratford, New York City, England and Norway; and volunteering his time to the Green Party of Canada.  

Peter was a passionate family man, endlessly curious intellectual, committed advocate for social justice and lover of the sea. An inveterate tinkerer, he was always the go-to computer technician for generations of his family. He will be deeply missed.  Peter leaves behind Eileen, his loving wife of 58 years, his sons David (Catherine) and Philip (Tamar), and his daughter Tanya (Jeff).  His laughter and smile will live on in his grandchildren Rachel, Ella, Jack, Dayna, Sophie, Piper and Parker.  

The family is forever grateful for the support, treatment and care Peter received from Dr. John Antonsen and the team at the Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic, Royal Jubilee Hospital.  

Because we can’t gather in person, Peter’s family invites everyone to share memories and tributes on this site - thanks for any anecdotes, remembrances or other stories you provide. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the B.C. Schizophrenia Society Foundation. 

May 17, 2022
May 17, 2022
Dear Eileen and family: I know you are remembering Peter today in a special way and I am, too. This memory popped into my mind. Peter was also a photographer besides being a skillful mental health professional. Every year Eileen's and my book group held a special book group game early in the year. When we were hosted at Eileen and Peter's he always took a lovely photograph of the group. As time went by we could see the changes in each of us. Unfortunately, there was no one taking a picture that included Peter so the changes in him weren't recorded. However, what never changed was his welcome and warmth. It is a fine legacy he leaves in my mind and heart.
April 25, 2022
April 25, 2022
Eileen: I am sorry to hear about Peter's passing. I only found out about it because I was searching for his name on the internet to find contact information to notify him of Fred's death. Fred also died peacefully at home February 27, 2022, after 2 1/2 months in hospice care. You and your family have my condolences as I share in the loss of someone well loved. Clare Porac
June 11, 2021
June 11, 2021
Dear Eileen and Family: I am so sorry that Peter is gone from your midst so that you can't touch or hear him. But in your hearts he is in your midst in different and special ways...and always will be. He was warm and there was an aura around Peter that let me know I was welcome and seen. He was always kind, gracious, and helpful to me both personally and professionally. I will miss Peter, too. My husband, Mel Gill, joins me in offering condolences. 
June 1, 2021
June 1, 2021
I got to know Peter later in life, through the book club that he helped to found and that I joined in its second year. He was a kind, thoughtful, knowledgeable and incredibly accomplished human being who added so much to our monthly gatherings - which were about books, to be sure, but much more besides.

The club has met on Zoom during the pandemic, but of course that is not quite the same as gathering in a home and, as was our custom, dining on food and drink that reflected that month's book. (And even, occasionally, dressing the part.) It is not your regular book club, and Peter was such an important part of making it what it was.

I, like so many others, will miss him very much.
May 30, 2021
May 30, 2021
Peter was a true gentle man… and in spite of that my good friend for the last 25 years. At work he was dedicated to those with serious mental illness, at home he was dedicated to his family. Great memories , of travel together for research meetings, for meals out, trips to the theatre, fun and laughter. No more so than we we inadvertently swopped credit cards after a supper, 2 weeks later I was in Denver having a meal when the waitress said thank you very much dr Schieldrop. when I saw Peter the next week we sorted out the cards and he said don’t worry I didn’t use your card. Well when my bill came there was all sorts of computer stuff on it. Kathleen said to Eileen, “ and they trust you two with a prescription pad”
We will miss you Peter
May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
We only had the pleasure of knowing Peter in recent years, enjoying his easy smile and his positive spirit which he sustained as his health declined. We will miss him stopping by for impromptu chats as he maintained his daily walks and know he will remain a strong spiritual presence for his family and friends.
Joni & Dan
May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021
Peter and I founded the Men’s Literary Round Table (Book Group) in 2006 and that group has met monthly (over the past 15 years) to the present.

 Peter was the recorder of the group and he kept track of the books we read and the food and drink we had for each meeting (The food and drink is as important as the book). He loved to read and had an insatiable interest in reading about research into the functioning of the brain. He also recommended many books on politics and, of course, Norwegian and Scandinavian mysteries. 

The group honoured Peter at our last meeting on May 23rd. The group all had stories of how much Peter meant to us. His knowledge, insight and humour will be greatly missed.
May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021
Dear Eileen, David, Phillip, Tanya and family,
Jean and I are thinking of you and feeling so sad for your loss. Peter was my friend and colleague for over 40 years and we experienced so many highs and lows over those years, but Peter was alway a great support and I so much appreciated the advice he gave me. 

During our many times together, he would always tell me how all of you were doing, so I feel I have followed your family as it has grown over the years. 

During or work together at Victoria Mental Health Centre and at Seven Oaks, Peter was so essential to developing the programs for seriously mentally ill people and treating people in such a caring and humane manor. He was truly a leader in the psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation of people who have Schizophrenia. He was alway humble about his contributions, but they were so important.

I know he was so concerned about you, Eileen and he always expressed to me his love and admiration of your caring for him and for your family. He was so proud of his children and loved talking about his grandchildren.

I miss my friend so much and can only imagine how hard this loss is for all of you.

Jean and I are thinking of you.
May 25, 2021
May 25, 2021
Dear Eileen and family,
Cindy and I send our deepest condolences in your loss of a wonderful man.
It was truly an honour to have Peter as a friend and mentor. His genuine care and compassion for others shone out, even in the months of his declining health. very much a teacher of how to conduct ourselves in the face of adversity. A gentle soul with an extremely sharp and curious intellect, his compassion and understanding of our modern times was a real inspiration.

Our coffee shop discussions on politics, the state of our great mother earth, his "viking" love of sailing and the Spitfire, will stay with me for the rest of my days. I will miss him dearly.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
My mother wishes to express her sorrow on hearing of Peter's passing, and to convey her warmest condolences to his family. She has fond memories of Peter from their childhood, when he visited Farsund, and of their last meeting at his sister Anne's when he was last in Norway.

Posted on behalf of Peter's cousin Gro
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
Dear Eileen & Family
Peter was a generous spirited, kind and decent human being. He devoted himself to some of the most severally ill patients never ignoring their humanity. We worked together for years. He was so instrumental in developing Seven Oaks that I would like to see his name preserved there. We had many great social times together over the years. The standout was the surprise party given to me at Peter’s home for my 60th birthday. Hard to believe that was 25 years ago. I also remember the many times Peter and I spent listening to Bernard Miles and “the finest bit of sharpening stone in Heartfordshire”. He was always a friend as well as a colleague. I will always remember fondly the times we spent with Richard Williams for lunch at Cheryl’s Pantry. His quiet humour was always a treat. I shall never forget his support of me in the past.

May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
Hi Eileen, David, Phil, Tania & all the family, so sorry to hear about Peter and longing to be with you all at this difficult time. I remember Peter from my childhood when we visited Havant, then from a few trips Peter and Eileen made back to the UK, but mostly I have many fond memories of times together in Victoria and Sidney. Peter was funny, kind and often very wise. His hugs we’re almost as good as Eileen’s! I loved the way he included and interacted with all his grandchildren, our own children and, on my last two visits, with our small grandson. Each of our children have very fond memories of Peter and were very sad to hear about his death and send you all their love at this incredibly sad time. So many stories and memories - mostly relating to eating, and a few to theological and political debates! Peter, we will miss you dearly, there will always be a Peter-hole in our future gatherings. Until we are able to meet again, to hug, to reminisce, we send all of you our very best wishes. Love Anne, Rob, David, Susie, Sam & Katie and all the rest of the family. Xxx
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021


Dear Eileen,

Lil and I are so sorry to hear of Peter's death. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time.

Peter was a close friend and I will miss him very much. Our mutual admiration for Elizabeth May and the Green philosophy first brought us together. We both served on the Saanich Gulf Islands Green Party Electoral District Association Executive for several years. Peter enthusiastically took on many tasks that helped support the Association and Elizabeth. From tedious rewriting of the Association's Constitution and By Laws, canvassing, and participating in the Green Media Group, Peter could be counted on to provide wise counsel along with a dose of good humour.

After our stint with the Association, Peter and I continued our friendship with weekly meetings for Alexander's Coffee. Being of the same vintage, we enjoyed sharing our curmudgenly perspectives on many wide ranging topics. Conversation with Peter was never dull, always leaving much to contemplate. Luckily we were able to continue these weekly meetings during the pandemic on FaceTime. They continued until Peter was admitted to hospital last month.

He was a lovely friend. Humours, engaging, knowledgable, always a great listener. He loved his family and mentioned them often in our conversations.

Our hearts go out to all of you for your loss.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
We first met the Schieldrop’s in Port Moody in 1968 where we both would be doing our best to raise two adventurous boys. We later visited them in Sproat Lake where we ensured a warm welcome by setting their kitchen counter on fire. Several other encounters followed, the last being in Victoria when they welcomed us back to Canada after a Panama Canal cruise. Pam and I shall remember Peter as we always found him: warm, funny, thoughtful and caring. He will be deeply missed.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
I was very fortunate to know Peter as a beautiful man who had such a gentle patience with me as a social worker for the Port Alberni Family Guidance Association. I turned to Peter as our beloved psychiatrist for the Port Alberni Mental Health Clinic many times for assistance with some of my most challenging clients and more than once he made himself immediately available if one of my clients slipped into a serious mental health crisis. I found Peter to be such an ethical professional with immense integrity and wisdom. We missed him very much when he and Eileen and family moved to Victoria but I keep my very fond memories of our years working together very much alive.  My husband Hugh also knew their children well through his teaching career and through our families meeting at track side through our children's involvement with the AV Track Club. The whole family was such a delight! We send our heartfelt sympathy to Eileen, David, Phillip and Tanya over the loss of Peter and I will light a candle in his memory tonight. His light lives on.....
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
Peter and I worked together for his entire 8 year tenure at CF Health Services Centre (Pacific) in Esquimalt. I consider myself both fortunate and blessed to have known and worked with Peter. In short, Peter took me under his wing and guided me through both life and work with an endless degree of patience, humour, and above all respect. He was like a father to me and I am delighted to share that we spoke of that sentiment often together. I am comforted to know he left this world a better place and he knew I loved him like my father. To this day, I can think of no greater acknowledgement of who Peter is and was than to say he was like a father to me. That is because my father was my hero. Peter was my hero too. Thanks Peter. Rest in peace. Job well done.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
As represent of Peters Norwegian family, I send our warm greetings to Peters family. I renember our summer together in Farsund with great joy. Greetings from cousin Inger
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Peter. I was a member of the team that he joined at the Mental Health Centre in 1979. Peter was a wonderful mentor, teacher, colleague, team supporter and friend. He was always generous with his time and the care he showed to patients was always evident. He was one of a group of us on the team that put on a series of six educational sessions on Schizophrenia that was well advertised. The meeting room we had only held 80 people and the line outside extended well out into the street. We held the same session the next night at the Mental Health Centre and over 120 people attended. These sessions were the spark that started the Victoria Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society. Peter attended all six sessions and presented at some of them and was available for the question period that followed. I was also a member of the men's book group with Peter. Many fond memories of group meetings paired with food and drink inspired by the book that was being discussed. So many good memories of conferences attended, bocce games, birthday celebrations and team planning retreats. We will all miss him terribly.
Joe & Diane
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
We were very sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. I knew Peter as a colleague and friend. We have fond memories of him, specifically our trips to Wisconsin and the vineyards of the Yakima Vally. We enjoyed lively conversations over a glass of wine accompanied by excellent cuisine. Our thoughts are with the family at this time.
Fond memories. 
Wendell and Jan.
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
Dear Eileen and family, on behalf of all of us at Mental Health Recovery Partners, please accept our sincere condolences.

Dr Schieldrop had started BCSS Victoria in the mid eighties with some family members. They were all so very dedicated to make family journeys a little easier. I started my journey as ED with BCSS Victoria and he gifted me with a couple of original political art pieces he had on his office walls for years. They are featured proudly today. He attended our picnics and Christmas events over the years and showed his dedication throughout the years. While we changed our name a couple of years ago (MHRP) at request of families, loved ones and referrers, we continue to serve families and those who struggle with their mental illness. 

Dr Schieldrop will be very missed in our community and much celebrated for all the lives he touched.

To Eileen and family, my deepest condolences.

Hazel Meredith, CEO. Mental Health Recovery Partners (formerly BCSSVictoria)
May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
May 22, 2021
Dr Peter Schieldrop was a colleague and a friend. I shared his passion for helping people and their families with that awful illness, schizophrenia. Peter was instrumental in establishing the BC Schizophrenia Society Victoria Branch. Later I severed on that board. Peter's direction of donations to the BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation illustrates his dedication to people with seriously mental illnesses. He was a great person. We will miss him. Thankyou Peter.
John Gray
Coworker
May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
I came to know Peter during the planning for Seven Oaks in Victoria, and appreciated his commitment to the care and rehabilitation for people with serious mental illnesses. He was a strong advocate for those with the most severe disorders, and helped bring about many needed changes in clinical practice, particularly on their behalf. Peter had a quick turn of mind and a great sense of humour, and would invariably leave you with a smile on your face! What a gift! I very much enjoyed his company on the several occasions when we reconnected with other former colleagues over the past few years. My sincere condolences to his family. A fine man and an inspiring clinician, he will be sorely missed.
May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
Dear Eileen, David, Phillip and Tanya,

To you all and your families, I send all my sympathy. We have lost such an extraordinary human being. His dedication to helping the Green movement, the Green Party and me personally made a real different to our work. I am and will always be grateful. It is a hard time to lose someone who, but for COVID, could fill a cathedral with those whose lives he touched and who would want his family to know how much we (who knew him not at all as much as we would have liked) will miss him. Many thanks for sharing Peter with us. His compassion, keen intelligence and kindness were remarkable.
Condolences, love and blessings,
Elizabeth
May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
Eileen, David, Phillip, Tanya and families: Thanks for letting us know about Peter's passing, that leaves a sadness in our hearts and minds.  You've always been in our memories since you left Port Alberni. The best neighbours ever! Speaking of memories, one came to light just last night as people were asking about a float trip we took down the Yukon River many years ago with 3 little kids. Peter was very interested as to how the kids felt about it, so upon asking Lloyd (5) how it was, I'll always remember Peter's face when Lloyd replied with great joy "We got a whole chocolate bar every day!" So many memories of your short time in Port Alberni at Sproat Lake. Always a treasure. God bless and keep you all. Walt and Linda
May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
I knew Peter for approximately 40 years. I first really got to know him well on a trip we made to Vernon to speak to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital medical staff on the Mental Health Act. He filled me in at the time on his interesting family history. Subsequently, we frequently spoke about the proper interpretation of that Act, particularly when he was in leadership positions at the Royal Jubilee Hospital and the Seven Oaks provincial mental health facility. He was a 'stickler' (in the good sense of the word) for doing things the right way, especially when patients' and families' rights and safety were concerned. He used to share with me his concern when he felt he had to dissent from decisions made by fellow review panel members, something that, when necessary, he did thoughtfully. I have missed those interactions since Peter retired although I was privileged to see him socially a few more times after that. My warmest condolences to Eileen and other family.
May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
Peter was a lovely man. Intelligent, kind, concerned and deeply committed to the schizophrenic community of individuals and their families.  Later, he was recognized for his significant work with returning soldiers suffering from PTSD.

My fondest memory of Peter was on a day when Peter and Eileen joined my husband and I and another couple on a protest march in Downtown Victoria. It was Peter's first ever protest and he was delightful, imagining undercover police filming us on every rooftop along the way.

My husband, a family physician, sat on committees with Peter at RJH and had the highest respect for Peter's clinical expertise and willingness to go the extra mile for patients. As a consultant, he listened carefully and provided invaluable advice. John notes that Peter was extremely empathetic with patients with psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia.

It was a real honour to have crossed paths with a man of Peter's distinction, and John and I send our deepest condolences to Eileen and the family.

May 23, 2021
May 23, 2021
good morning eileen
so sorry to learn of peter's passing
it was always one of my fondest memories to meet with the 2 of you
usually, it seems on a Saturday morning and it was always a joy
I was only sad that I could not have helped more than I did
it has been a pleasure to work with you both
thinking of you at this time
Nigel
May 22, 2021
May 22, 2021
What a wonderful person Peter was: quiet, confident, and welcoming. 

I worked with Peter for 8 years on the Mental Health Team at CF Health Services (P) Esquimalt. Serving as Practice Lead & Lead Psychiatrist, Peter was highly skilled and he worked hard to support not only the patients but also his colleagues: doctors, counsellors, nurses and support staff. Always a exemplary leader, and full of compassion, Peter developed a highly functional team, through listening, mentoring and teaching, to be the best of CF Health Services across Canada. Never judgemental, Peter used an open mind, a kind word and humour to keep our team moving in a patient-centred direction.

The wonderful legacy Peter created continues today for the patients he served and the clinicians he worked with. His influence has spread across Canada through the many clinicians who have since moved on to other organizations. 

My condolences to the Schieldrop family. My thoughts are with you.

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May 17, 2022
May 17, 2022
Dear Eileen and family: I know you are remembering Peter today in a special way and I am, too. This memory popped into my mind. Peter was also a photographer besides being a skillful mental health professional. Every year Eileen's and my book group held a special book group game early in the year. When we were hosted at Eileen and Peter's he always took a lovely photograph of the group. As time went by we could see the changes in each of us. Unfortunately, there was no one taking a picture that included Peter so the changes in him weren't recorded. However, what never changed was his welcome and warmth. It is a fine legacy he leaves in my mind and heart.
April 25, 2022
April 25, 2022
Eileen: I am sorry to hear about Peter's passing. I only found out about it because I was searching for his name on the internet to find contact information to notify him of Fred's death. Fred also died peacefully at home February 27, 2022, after 2 1/2 months in hospice care. You and your family have my condolences as I share in the loss of someone well loved. Clare Porac
June 11, 2021
June 11, 2021
Dear Eileen and Family: I am so sorry that Peter is gone from your midst so that you can't touch or hear him. But in your hearts he is in your midst in different and special ways...and always will be. He was warm and there was an aura around Peter that let me know I was welcome and seen. He was always kind, gracious, and helpful to me both personally and professionally. I will miss Peter, too. My husband, Mel Gill, joins me in offering condolences. 
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Condolences and memories

May 24, 2021
To the Schieldrop family,
My brief message to the entire family is to offer my condolences at the recent passing of Dr. Peter Schieldrop. 
My name at this point will have no significance to any of you but his name does bring back a number of memories of a Peter Schieldrop whom I knew as a school chum in England from 1949 to 1956. If I have the correct Peter in mind we were both at Bedford School and we may have been on the same cricket team as youngsters in the Preparatory School (called the "Inky"). We may also have been in the same boarding house which, in my case, was "Pemberley " with Mr. Clark as the housemaster. Those years were long ago but the memories for me remain very vivid.
Strange indeed that we were virtual neighbours for quite a number of years as I had been here in Victoria with my wife Darlene and family since 1972 and have been fortunate in that Victoria has been our home since then. If  the late Dr. Peter was at Bedford, you may wish to contact me. I include my Victoria phone at home which is 250-477- 0205.  
Sincerely,
Henry Ravensdale
May 23, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss.
I have fond memories of the times we have visited Canada - first for Easter many years ago, when Auntie Eileen and Uncle Peter hid tiny Easter eggs all over the house for my children to find. And the best holiday ever when Trygve and I came and travelled with you both to the Pacific Coast - Trygve and Uncle Peter up front chatting in Norwegian, Auntie Eileen and me behind.
Love and hugs from Ingrid, Trygve, Heidi, Christie, Synnøve and Marte with families

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