Peter Burrows

November 2014

The first Perfusionist I met and had the privilege to work with was Peter Burrows. He was my introduction to the profession. He was my mentor on my first pump run, a circuit with a Rygg-Kyvsgaard bubble oxygenator and Travenol pump used on a canine based research project. We talked for hours on every corner of clinical and research perfusion practice. I can still see him now, greens and lab coat on, tea mug balanced on his right thigh.

Peter had an encyclopedic historical knowledge of perfusion that could be called on at any time to provide a solution to every situation faced. We shared many hours of challenge in our chosen profession of which he was a skilled craftsman. Peter came from the generation of Perfusionists that did not have the benefit of a formal program to prepare them for the critical care and open heart surgery environment. Many of the techniques and practices we perform daily were hard lessons learned by Peter’s generation.

We worked together through the last years of his career and the first few years on mine. As we worked at a small heart program this exposed us, several times, of working short staffed. This produced in Peter, a work ethic of independence and confidence; no one was coming to help, better sort it out yourself.  

He was a passionate professional in our field.

After he retired he would call around the Christmas season. We would talk of family, recent experiences and the good ole days. I could tell he missed those days, all 37 years of them.

I have been told that we are a little bit of all who we have met. I hope that I carry a little bit of Peter through my working days.

I was very sorry to learn of Peter's passing. 
Mark Rosin
Saskatoon