Always fascinated by physics, chemistry, and the sciences in school, Garth Walls ended his 44-year career in pharmacy at the end of June in the Battlefords with a lifetime achievement award from the Pharmacists Association of Saskatchewan and a celebration at the Discovery Co-op on June 30.
“That was a really touching moment for myself and my family. There were a lot of hours, time spent away, and I think the family was extremely supportive in giving me the opportunity to follow those kinds of things,” Walls told the News-Optimist/SASKTODAY.ca
“And just the progression of what we do know in pharmacy because of having an advocacy group ... It's what we had to learn in the last 10, 15, 20, 30, years, it's progressed to really a different position, and the respect and trust that doctors have with drug interactions, it's an extremely rewarding experience.”
Walls was instrumental in the creation of the Representative Board of Saskatchewan Pharmacists (later the Pharmacists Association of Saskatchewan) making Saskatchewan one of the first provinces to have an advocacy group for the profession of pharmacy separate from the College of Physicians.
As a Battleford resident, he also served as a chamber of commerce director for a number of years, as a Town of Battleford councillor for 21 years, and as the president of the Kiwanis Club.
“I still live in Battleford, and I find it's very much like a lake community, but it's still an urban centre, but it still has a very real feel to it ... I'm quite comfortable with retiring. I've got a bunch of things that I'm interested in, such as old British cars, woodworking and using a lathe, golfing, my kids, my two boys still live in the area,” Walls said.
“It's kind of nice to have this time, especially now just sitting out on the front porch because it's a beautiful day, and it may not be tomorrow.”
