Obituary of Richard Leslie Denton

It is with a deep and profound sadness that the family of Dr. Richard Leslie Denton announce his peaceful passing on May 7, 2025, at the age of 77.

He is survived by his wife and life partner of nearly 53 years, Karly Jean (Hiltz); daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Lynn Robicheau (John); son, Stephen Hiltz Denton (Amanda); grandchildren, Evelyn Joyce Denton and Benjamin Matthew Denton; three younger sisters, Nancy Peck (Warren), Margaret “Peggy” Ostli (David), Janet Denton; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his Father Dr. G. Douglas Denton and R. Jeanette (O’Brien).

Born in Montreal, Quebec in 1947, Richard moved with his family to Wolfville in 1952 where he attended school and was a member of the #268 Wolfville High School Cadet Corps and band. Richard was a member of the 1^st Wolfville Boy Scouts Troop and received the Queen’s Scout Award; the highest Scouting proficiency award. Graduating from Wolfville High School in 1968, he was presented with the Birks Medal for student leadership.

During Richard’s youth, his overly patient mother tolerated his collection of natural life by allowing a bag of frozen sparrows to be kept in her freezer so he could look after an injured kestrel hawk for two years. Pockets full of snakes were met with much less tolerance. Richard’s love of nature continued throughout his life, with many rescued creatures finding sanctuary in the Denton household, resulting in his appreciation for the natural world being instilled in his children. 

Richard attended Acadia University from 1964 – 1968, graduating with a BSc in Biology. While studying at Acadia, an influential professor convinced him to change direction from wildlife biology to Pre-Med and shortly thereafter he began his studies at Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine.

While attending Dalhousie Medical School he met his future wife Karly, and they married on June 30, 1972, in Wolfville at the Acadia University chapel. Following graduation in 1974, Richard moved to Digby to begin a summer locum that ultimately became a 33-plus year medical practice. During this time Richard and Karly established their roots in Digby and proudly welcomed their two adopted children Beth and Stephen.

During his career, Richard ran a varied medical practice, including general medicine, emergency critical care, hospital care (including ICU), obstetrics and general anesthesia. He was also a medical examiner for Digby County and was instrumental in the creation of the enhanced medical 911 system for Nova Scotia which brought ambulatory care into the 911 dispatch service. This system remains in effect throughout the province today.

Richard’s medical practice was interrupted in 1981 when he developed Hodgkin’s lymphoma and required an intensive six-month period of radiotherapy and surgical treatment. Over the years he has always affectionately remembered those doctors who helped him overcome challenging odds of survival so that he may return to his family and medical practice.

Richard had many hobbies and interests. He was a member of the Digby Fish & Game gun club and achieved a CIL Gold Award for pistol target shooting. A motorcyclist for 50 years, he eventually traded two wheels for four, acquiring a 1999 Mazda Miata in his specific colour combination of British Racing Green with a tan interior so that Karly could join him on his adventures.

Richard was proud to raise his children in the family friendly environment of Digby County. He and Karly took pride in their Digby property and eventually acquired a cottage on Porters Lake. They travelled extensively after their children left home, visiting many countries in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean (with Cuba being a favourite). It was Richard’s pleasure to share his life with three very special dogs, in particular, his Maria, who was his constant companion for a decade until her death in 2021.

Retiring in 2007 for health reasons, Richard returned to his Wolfville roots and enjoyed a much longer retirement than expected and was able to see the marriages of his daughter and son and the births of his granddaughter and grandson, for which he was forever thankful.

Richard was a kind and gentle man, and a strong believer in fairness and equality. An expert napper, carpenter, holder of many strong and freely shared opinions, and loyal listener of CBC radio, he was happiest in the company of his family and canine companions. In recent years Richard was devoted to the care of Karly after she developed Alzheimer’s disease, a role he undertook with unwavering love and dedication.

“Thank you everyone for a wonderful life”

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 14, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at the Serenity Funeral Home in Coldbrook, officiated by Celebrant, Diane Axent.  Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held in Wolfville at a later date.

Richard was a supporter of Doctors Without Borders, The Red Cross, The Nature Conservatory of Canada, The Canadian Wildlife Federation, Friends of Canadian Media, and the Wolfville Foodbank. Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s memory to any of these causes or a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).