In Memoriam: Dr. Peter Ashby

Dr Peter Ashby, Emeritus Professor of Neurology, was an esteemed and highly respected member of the Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, and Staff Physician at TWH for over 50 years.

Dr. Ashby had a distinguished career as a physician and scientist. He studied medicine at Queens University in Belfast, and trained in Neurology at Queen Square in London. There he met Dr JC Richardson, and this influenced his decision to move to Toronto in 1969 to complete his neurology training. He then did a fellowship year in Sydney, Australia before returning to Toronto in 1971 to be Staff Neurologist at TWH. His clinical reputation was one of a gifted teacher and an astute, clear thinking and meticulous clinician, specializing in neurophysiology and neuromuscular diseases.

His research has been instrumental in shaping and changing our understanding of the central nervous system direction of movement and motor control. He held uninterrupted peer reviewed funding over his entire career and published widely. He mentored and trained countless neurology residents, fellows and neurophysiology graduate students; many of whom continue to work at the University of Toronto. He ‘retired’ several years ago to spend more time pursuing his lifelong passion of sailing. He was an accomplished and award-winning sailor. He also liked to travel and visited many areas of the world, including the Canadian Arctic. However, he still loved his work and continued part-time in the neurophysiology clinic at TWH right up to the time of his unfortunate death. He will be sadly missed and our condolences go out to his family and friends.

Obituary Toronto Star Oct 30th 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to charity of choice, or UHN foundation