Obituary: A skilled and respected surgeon and teacher

Chief physician Erkki Juhani Forsström died in Rovaniemi on June 30, 2026, at the age of 90. Born in Oulu on September 9, 1935, Forsström spent his childhood in Pello by the Tornio River. His early years were marked by the unique wartime environment, including witnessing his home burned by Germans and experiencing evacuation.

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Radio off, there is an operation in progress!

Forsström began his medical career as a municipal doctor in Inari from 1965 to 1969, where he also started performing surgery, common in Finnish municipal hospitals at the time. He specialized in general surgery and vascular surgery in Helsinki, qualifying in 1973. He then moved to Lapland Central Hospital, serving in various roles including specialist, deputy chief physician, chief physician, and head of a service area. He also led Rovaniemi Sairasapu and Laboratorio Oy as its CEO from 1978 to 1991.

Known as "Worse" at Lapland Central Hospital, Forsström was an old-school surgeon who treated patients of all ages and conditions. His focus during operations was intense, often leading to demands for silence in the operating room. He possessed a remarkable ability to transfer his skills and experience to younger surgeons, though he also held them to high standards. His demanding nature was acknowledged by younger doctors who nicknamed him "Forse" as a sign of deep respect.

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Are you thinking of handling this by procrastinating?

In the early 1990s, Forsström navigated the austerity measures of a recession as chief physician. He declined a role as head of a service area, famously quoting, "I seek not power, nor glory." Weary of administrative complexities, he took early retirement in 1997.

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I seek not power, nor glory.

His retirement years were enriched by fishing trips in Lapland and his unique culinary creations, such as his renowned "vegetable soup" served in freezing January weather. After the death of his wife Kaarina in 2017, Forsström's short-term memory began to decline, but his sense of humor and zest for life persisted. He remained at home until his final days, supported by home care and the attention of his son and daughter-in-law. Erkki Forsström is gone, but the memories and teachings of a great personality live on.

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It was, shit, good!