When Dr. Max Avren’s widow, Peggy, remembers her husband’s career, she does not look back at their world travels or the famous people they met. She recalls the care he gave to everyday patients. “He loved his patients,” she said.

When Avren turned to sports medicine, he used his knowledge to help everyone from Prince Phillip to local high school football players. Peggy remembers how important it was to her husband of 35 years to have a doctor attend every high school football game.

He made up a roster of doctors and ensured one of them was at each game. Avren’s work became known locally, nationally and internationally, and covers a long list of achievements. Provincially, he established the first Committee for Physical Education of the Manitoba Medical Association and was chairman until he moved to Arizona.

On the national level, Avren was a founding member of the first College of General Practice in the world - The College of General Practice of Canada. He was the chief medical officer for the Canadian Olympic Association for many years and established the first medical and paramedical support for Canadian Olympic and Pan American teams.

Internationally, he founded the Canadian Association of Sports Sciences, was the head of medical services for the 1967 Pan-Am Games and was the personal physician to Prince Phillip during those Games.

When Max Avren served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, he designed and built its first obstacle training course. After the Second World War, he was appointed by the RCAF to organize and conduct a program of sports, recreation and education for airmen returning from combat to a holding unit in England. He also played, coached or managed hockey, soccer, baseball, softball and track in Canada and overseas.

“He led a very well-rounded life. Whatever he did, he did with his whole heart and soul,” said Peggy Avren.