BIEBER-After an extraordinary and dignified eight and a-half year's journey with cancer, John Rawdon (Rawd) Bieber passed away swiftly but peacefully on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 in the Palliative Care Unit of Regina's Pasqua Hospital. His life partner and loving spouse, Graeme Mitchell, was with him. Rawd was born on Good Friday, April 3, 1953 in Wilkie, Saskatchewan, the second child and only son of Walter Bieber, QC and Mary Bieber (nee Rempel), both of whom predeceased him. He grew up in Wilkie and attended McLurg School. Following graduation, he came to Regina and became a licensed practical nurse. He then attended the University of Regina graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (1982), and a Bachelor of Social Work (1984). He recently completed the thesis requirement towards his Master of Social Work degree. He began his social work career at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre and moved to Regina Pioneer Village where he served as head of Social Work. Rawd voluntarily pioneered social work support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan for which he was recognized with the AIDS Regina Community Service Award (1989) and the Sister Emilie Bandet Memorial Certificate of Merit (1998) by the Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Network of Saskatchewan Inc. Deeply committed to professional selfregulation, Rawd was a long time member of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (SASW) and twice served as its volunteer Registrar, most recently from 1995 to April 2007. He was respected across Canada as a leader in the regulation of the social work profession. For his invaluable contributions to his profession, Rawd was awarded the SASW Distinguished Service Award (2000) and the Canadian Association of Social Workers National Award of Merit (2003). Rawd dedicated his life to advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized in society. His dedication to his clients and the causes he championed was unwavering. He is survived by his spouse, Graeme Mitchell, Regina; a sister, Marianne (Gilbert) Daigneault, Beauval; two nieces, Jennifer (Dwayne) Johnson, La Ronge, and Erin Daigneault, Prince Albert; a nephew, Abraham Daigneault, Prince Albert; three great-nieces and a greatnephew; devoted cousins, Roberta Rivett and Mary Crane, Victoria, BC and close friends Charles Rushton and Robert Slykhuis, White City. His loss will be mourned by cousins, friends and colleagues across Canada and in Hong Kong. Many individuals assisted Rawd and Graeme in this journey and we thank especially Dr. M. Janczewiecz, Mary Dagnone, Louise Cadrin, Bob Wolfe, Rev. Dan Cooper, Shirley Martin, Rev. Eric Muirhead and Rev. Ken Powers. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church, 2170 Albert Street, Regina, the Rev. John Ferrier officiating. The cremains will be interred in North Battleford on Monday, November 12, 2007. Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 2170 Albert Street, Regina S4P 2T9 or the Regina Humane Society, P.O. Box 3143, Regina, SK S4P 3G7. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com Deep Peace of God to you.

 

Published in the Regina Leader-Post from 11/3/2007 - 11/5/2007