Date of death: November 18, 2024
A live stream of the service is available: www.mgxproductions.com/stream/DavidLudwin
Nov 11, 1949 – Nov 18, 2024
Dr. David Ludwin died peacefully on Monday, November 18th, surrounded by his children. He was the beloved husband to Laura, father to Adrian (Laura), Daniel (Crysler), and Ilana, and Oupa David to his grandchildren. He is mourned and remembered by his children, his twin sister Tamar (Martin), and his extended family.
David was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and immigrated with Laura to Canada in 1981. He worked for many years as a nephrologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, and as a professor of medicine at McMaster University. David and Laura’s commitment to each other was absolute. Laura supported David with her talents, both financially during their early years, and personally, emotionally, and socially throughout their lives, and David credits her with everything he ever achieved. David spent his last decade supporting Laura in turn as she suffered from Alzheimer’s.
David’s friends and family will remember him for his passion for dense literature and a wide range of music, and his self-declared adequate skill on the bass clarinet in his Klezmer band. His congregation at Beth Jacob will remember him as a community cantor who passed on his religion and its traditions to his children. All those who visited his house will remember his cockatiels Shlishie and Goffie, and more recently his beloved labradoodle Cleo. Finally, those who knew David from his professional life will remember him for his deep care of his patients, and his commitment to mentoring and supporting his students and colleagues.
David’s family would like to thank Virginia and Erika and all the staff at Virka Homecare, who became part of our family in the last year assisting David in caring for Laura, and who continue to care for her at Shalom Village. We also thank the superlative staff at the Hamilton General Hospital’s neuroscience unit who cared for him through his illness, especially the nursing and care team of 7-West who saw to his every need in his final weeks, and Drs. Mullens, Reddy, Fraser, and Talman.
David’s funeral will be on Tuesday, November 19th at 2:30pm at the Stanley Sobel Beth Jacob Cemetery at 1400 Snake Road, Burlington, followed by one day of shiva on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers or other gifts to the family, donations to charities of your choice would be appreciated.
I have just recently read of Dr. Ludwin’s passing. I feel gutted. My sincere condolences go out to the entire Ludwin family.
I met Dr. Ludwin when he first arrived at St. Joes. I had been a nephrology patient and he took over my case at the beginning of his tenure. I had recently turned 21 when we met. I will never forget that first appointment.
I had been ill for some time but Dr. Ludwin was the only medical professional to begin our conversation by asking about me. Not my condition, the pain, my medication or other details surrounding my illness; he was concerned about how I was coping. Did I have friends, social supports, how was work going? He asked about how I was managing given that the diagnosis that I had was going to affect me for the rest of my life. It was all I could do not to break down and cry. No one had ever acknowledged that these may be issues let alone give me permission to speak to them if I chose. He was not only kind, and caring but he was also an extraordinary physician. I was very fortunate to have been under Dr. Ludwin’s care throughout his entire career at St. Joes. And I am deeply saddened by his loss.
Thank you, to the Ludwin family for sharing the good doctor with the thousands of patients that Dr. Ludwin tended to over the years. We are grateful beyond measure. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.
I am one of the grateful nurses who worked with him on transplant unit . He was a great doctor and treated the nurses with respect. I attended his retirement dinner which was wonderful and gifted him with the hand made traditional moccasins. He of course did not want anything. I so miss his presence around since he retired. He is missed.
Our deepest and most sincere condolences for your family’s loss. Dr. Ludwin was our father’s nephrologist and not only did he give Tony his life back but he gave our family the chance to live, thrive and love. Our father cherished Dr. Ludwin’s handwritten letters that arrived every year, without fail. Tony cherished them as much as he cherished the second chance he was given after his transplant thanks to Dr. Ludwin. His legacy will surely live on in all of the lives he touched.
With deepest thanks,
The Smerilli Family
I have just learned of Dr. Ludwin’s passing, my deepest sympathies.
I met Dr. Ludwin 20yrs ago when i first learned I was in kidney failure and needed a transplant. I was 29yrs old. Dr. Ludwin brought me into his office and said ‘what is a girl who’s just starting her life doing in my office, is probably what you’re thinking.’ I was puddle after that and adored him forever for his compassion and kindness.
After my transplant, I received the all clear to get back to my normal life. I asked Dr.Ludwin if I could get a pedicure as I wasn’t sure with being newly immunocompromised if it was the right thing to do.
He said ‘yes, definitely’… I asked him where I should go (thinking I should go to professionals who look after diabetics)….. he started laughing and laughing and it got me laughing as I realized he thought I was asking him to recommend a local pedicure spot he may know of. It was the single most funniest moment I had with him. He walked out of the office still laughing asking Lesley for recommendations for me.
I can’t begin to express how much I appreciated everything he did and the sacrifices he made with his family for the care he gave to me and his other patience.
Rest in peace.
Our family will be forever grateful to Dr. Ludwin for his loving care of our father. Dad was treated with dignity and respect and we were aware that no question was too insignificant and that we were never rushed. It almost felt as if Dad was his only patient as Dr. Ludwin showed great interest in our family and in ensuring Dad’s comfort and quality of life. His letter of condolence was yet another indication of Dr. Ludwin’s care beyond the medical.
Thanks Lesley, and thank you for coming by for the shiva. Sincerely, Adrian + familiy
Dear Adrian, Daniel, Ilana and family:
Please accept our deep condolences on the passing of your Father and Oupa. We fondly remember David and Laura from the time of their warm welcome when we arrived in Hamilton in 1991. We treasure the social contact we had over the years, in our homes and our shared involvement at Beth Jacob and St. Joseph’s/McMaster. David was a mensch. May his memory be for a blessing.
Thank you both! Sincerely, Adrian + family
Sending our deepest condolences to the Ludwin family at this time. Dr. Ludwin was responsible for my father’s kidney transplant in 1989. He was compassionate, patient and possessed a wonderful demeanor. He saved my father’s life and because of Dr Ludwin I was able to grow up with a healthy father. His legacy is his lasting contributions to the field of nephrology and all the lives he touched.
The Daly Family
Thank you so much Anna for that thought and the story. Sincerely, Adrian + family
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Dr. Ludwin’s family. He looked after me and enabled me to have a kidney Transplant in 2001 from my brother. It gave me my life back and allowed me to be there for my 5 boys(that includes my husband lol) over the last 23 1/2 years. I have also been blessed with two grandchildren. We are all forever grateful to him. He was a wonderful doctor and even a better man. We are so sorry for your tremendous loss. He will be sorely missed.
Thank you so much Angela.
My heartfelt condolences to the Ludwin family! Dr Ludwin’s kindness, compassion and professionalism were truly remarkable! I always credited the
success of my kidney transplant to his exceptional care and expertise . He touched the lives of many, including mine, in profound ways. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time!
Thank you Nancy from me and the whole family.
Hearing of Dr. Ludwin’s passing is extremely sad for all of us in the Dialysis unit. He always had something to teach, a funny story, or a kind word. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Thank you, St Joe’s was a second home to our father and he loved working with you. Sincerely, Adrian + family
Dr David Ludwin was my nephrologist when I was just 17 years old and he fought hard for me to be transplanted at St Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton. I am now 57 and forever grateful to him.
He was my specialist, my doctor, my friend, my shoulder to cry on, etc. He was the best and no one will be able to replace him as the most caring and compassionate person in the world.
I would also like to thank the family for the sacrifices they made in order so that he may take great care in his patients.
Thank you so much. You will be greatly missed.
Thank you Lourdes, we were talking as a family about how it never felt like a sacrifice because while he worked long hours, we knew exactly why he was away and always knew how important it was to care for his patients. Sincerely, Adrian and family
My husband Robert and I extend our condolences to the Ludwin family. I was privileged to work with him on a clinical trial in the dialysis unit. His kindness to all and expertise will not soon be forgotten. Such devotion to the care of Laura we witnessed in the last few years when we would see them out for walks.
May his memory be a blessing,
Sincerely, Wendy Leigh-Bell
Thanks so much Wendy and Robert.
David Ludwin was my father’s nephrologist for almost two decades, expertly, and with amazing care, supporting him through dialysis, a kidney transplant and post-transplant care. My sister and I hold dear a letter Dr. Ludwin wrote to us when my father passed away in 1999. We will always remember and respect Dr. Ludwin as a physician who deeply cared for his patients and supported them both professionally and personally. He touched our lives deeply by granting us many more years with our father. Our deepest sympathy to his family.
Thanks for this story Heather, and thanks for writing to us.
I was a member of Beth Jacob when David was on a search committee with me. We were looking then for a new rabbi. I will never forget his kindness when I had a medical issue and he encouraged me to get a second opinion which changed my life. He helped me access better medical care.
A beautiful man of integrity and compassion. May his memory be for a blessing. What a gift of a human being.