“Ron was born in Montreal, built his life and career in Ottawa, and moved to Toronto to be closer to his children and grandchildren upon retirement. He introduced No-Scalpel Vasectomy to Canada in 1992, advancing male contraception nationally and worldwide, and performing close to 60,000 procedures at his home office in Ottawa. He was a talented singer/songwriter, recording his music with accomplished Ottawa musicians, and playing various venues throughout his life. Ron’s diverse skills and talents, along with his compassion, strength, curiosity, discipline and moral compass were an inspiration to all who knew him”.
From his obituary in Toronto Star, 10/31/24
A Eulogy for Ron: Dr. Jean-Philippe Bercier
It has been over a month since Dr. Ronald Weiss’s passing, and yet the magnitude of his influence continues to resonate deeply with all of us. It is truly awe-inspiring to reflect on how many lives he touched and the profound impact he had on global population health.
Over the past weeks, I have come across numerous tributes to Ron—not only in local newspapers but also in national and international publications. His legacy even inspired a comedic skit on CBC’s “This Hour Has 22 Minutes,” a testament to the widespread recognition of his work. In Canada, it doesn’t get much bigger than this in terms of acknowledgement.
Through the World Vasectomy Network, I’ve read heartfelt emails from doctors across the globe, each recounting stories of how Ron influenced their practices and lives. The sheer volume of admiration and gratitude pouring in underscores his extraordinary contributions and the respect he commanded within the medical community.
To be honest, I don’t believe there’s much I can add that hasn’t already been said. Many of you knew Ron far longer than I did, and your memories of him are just as vivid and enduring. Yet, as someone privileged to have known and worked alongside him, I feel compelled to express my gratitude for the example he set and the immense legacy he leaves behind.
Reflecting on my own journey with Ron, I first reached out to him in 2019. At the time, I was finishing an 18-month sabbatical to pursue triathlon and open water races on the international stage. I was a GP practicing in Hawkesbury, a small city 1 hour and 30 minutes outside of Ottawa, and the idea of going back to the rural hospital—covering different floors from ICU to neonatology, obstetrics to palliative care—was not tempting. I was already doing vasectomies for four years at this point after training with Dr. Doug Stein, and I liked the field of contraception and was hoping to do more of it. The problem was, in the region, Ron was practically a legend. I was not expecting him to answer me favorably. But a day later, there it was. And we were actually neighbors at that point. He was spending part of his summer with his wife, Debbie, in a condo in Tremblant, and I was training there for my races. We met a few days later at his condo.
The conversation was fluid. We talked about triathlon, tennis, his family, my life as a single person at the time, and, of course, travel—one of Ron’s greatest passions. Ron absolutely loved experiencing new places, new cultures, and new people with Debbie. After vetting me for a bit he agreed to take me in. His plan was to slowly reduce his pace over the next 10 years until he fully retired. Then he drilled me! Hard! Even after 3,000 vasectomies performed in my clinics, I was far from his standard. A success rate of 999/1,000 was not good enough. A rate of infection of 1-2% was not good enough. A rate of hematoma of 1/1,000 was too much. Every step during a vasectomy had to be meaningful and executed perfectly—the Dr. Weiss way.
He put in a lot of effort to bring me to his level. He traveled every few weeks to my clinics in Hawkesbury and Orleans to observe me and teach me a better way. It had to be perfect down to the tenth of a millimeter, whether on his very unique way to grasp the vas or to perform a “double” fascial interposition. Only then would he accept my presence in his famous clinic—the basement of his Glebe house. Not only was the reputation of his practice on the line, but also patient safety and expectations.
Then, in the spring of 2020, I received an unusual text message from him. The moment I read it, a sense of unease settled over me—I knew something was wrong. It was one of those messages that carried an unspoken weight, foreshadowing a change that would alter everything. The 10-year transition plan needed to be fast-forwarded—fast, really fast. He was now looking to retire completely in the coming year. He devoted his time to being with his family, cherishing moments with loved ones, playing tennis, writing and performing music, and exploring the world through travel. Every time I asked him how things were going, he always responded positively, sharing details about his most recent trip and his plans for the next one. We never talked about his cancer again. I think he wanted to focus his energy on what mattered most to him at that stage of his life. That was his motto: ensuring his time was spent in the best and most meaningful way possible. He was almost a miracle for many years after—doing so well that doctors double-checked to make sure the diagnosis was right.
Some of my best memories of him are simply listening to him playing the piano. When I would operate in the basement, I (and the patients) could hear him play the piano on the first floor—a soothing melody for both me and the men under the non-existent knife or needle.
Even more than three years after his retirement, there isn’t a single day when patients don’t mention his name. Some offer their condolences, aware of his passing, while others share stories of how someone they know had a vasectomy performed by Ron. Many of them recall his unique touches—like the calming pictures of trees and forests on the ceiling during the procedure. I think I’ll keep those pictures there as long as I can, preserving a piece of his legacy.
My partner and I now live in his house in Ottawa. At first, we weren’t entirely sure it was the right decision, but over time, we’ve come to appreciate its charm. The house feels like an extension of Ron and Debbie’s personality—warm, inviting, and full of character. The neighbourhood, with its vibrant sense of community and quiet, tree-lined streets, mirrors the kind of life Ron and Debbie cherished. Living here, surrounded by the echoes of his life and work, has deepened my connection to the legacy he left behind. He leaves me not only a home, but a practice and some very big shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can live up to his standards and make him proud.
And from around the world, some additional tributes:
Chris Kornelis, in a Wall Street Journal obituary, called him the “Wayne Gretsky of Vasectomies”. He said that Ron “pioneered methods that made male birth control more palatable to men”. Not only did he help perfect the no-scalpel vasectomy, he worked to assure men were less anxious by having a chat with them before the procedure, having a calming poster of huge trees on the ceiling, and “playing music that Weiss felt was both soothing to the patient that he could stand listening to every day”.
Dr. Philip Li, I’m deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Ron Weiss’s passing. I first met him in 1990 when he invited me to teach him the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) technique in Ottawa, Canada. Staying in his home, we shared a memorable, late-night long conversation that left a lasting impression. It was clear from the start that he was a passionate and incredibly gifted physician.
Over the years, Dr. Weiss continuously refined the art of NSV, ascending to the status of a legend known as North America’s “King of NSV.” He holds the remarkable personal and professional record of performing over 60,000 NSV.
His meticulous attention to detail, genuine concern for his patients, and unwavering dedication to excellence established a high standard that few could rival. He was known for doing things “the Weiss Way”—a testimony to his commitment to quality and doing things! His contributions to the NSV community will be remembered for generations, inspiring all who follow his footsteps.
I was honored to co-author a few NSV articles, surgical manuals, and videos with him, including our work on the No-Needle No-Scalpel Vasectomy, which we presented at the 2006 AUA and published in the Journal of Urology in May 2006, which no needle NSV technique is now among the most profound advances in NSV.
Ron and I shared a close friendship spanning over three decades, during which his dedication to perfecting and sharing NSV changed the lives of countless patients and contributed profoundly to the field of urology. Beyond his medical brilliance, he was a perfectionist and a remarkable musician, qualities that showed in everything he touched. His legacy is far-reaching, and his impact is indelible.
Ron, you will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know you. Your spirit will continue to inspire us, and your contributions will live on in our hearts.
Dr. Doug Stein, Philip, a beautiful tribute. I echo everything. I wrote to Ron’s wife Debbie directly. I was about to ask if anyone knows whether Debbie and the rest of Ron’s family are seeing all of these expressions of sorrow, admiration, and gratitude. Instead, I will blind-copy Debbie on this (she may not want the whole Vasectomy Network having her email address), but I’m afraid it may not contain everyone’s contributions.
Dr. Michel Labrecque, Philip, I concur so much with everything you have said. His dedication and contribution were exceptional. Ron, we will always remember you.
Merci mon ami!
Dr. Ben Walsh, CaptialVasectomy.com Kemptville, ON Canada: He truly was a leader for vasectomy and an even better person.
Padhraic O Conghaile, Churfields Clinic, Galway, Ireland: What a wonderful talented innovative compassionate man/person. I wish I had known him personally.
Jay Sandlow, What a loss. For those who knew him, Ron was the consummate professional. He cared deeply about doing the right thing. My time with him and Debbie in the Philippines was so valuable. He also played a mean guitar. He will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing.
Dr. Julie Connolly, Oh wow. No matter that we were told of his illness, death always shocks and dismays the hell out of me. I never met him but his name and reputation were everywhere in this community.
Dr. Steven Shu, I met Dr. Weiss on the Philippine mission trip in 2015 or 2016. RIP!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥲
Jonathan Stack, A few years back WVD gave a lifetime achievement award to Ron. He was, for so many reasons – many mentioned here in this string – as deserving a candidate as it gets. We are sad to see him go, but know in our hearts that he leaves a profound legacy that will endure for many years to come.
We are grateful to him…and to each and every doctor who commits to bringing relief to families the world over.
Dr. Sarah Miller, I had the privilege of working with Ron and Debbie more than once in the Philippines. Their love, joy, and passion for both hard work and full living were inspirational. Being with them felt like the type of home where anyone would want to live.
His beautiful voice and music echo in my ears.
May his memory be a blessing. May Debbie and the rest of his family feel all our arms around them.
Dr. Marc Armbruster, Only now have I learned of Ron’s death, and the news leaves me deeply affected. I got to know him during a visit to Ottawa in his practice back in 2006. He gave me an insight into his vasectomy art for a day and explained and showed me at the time the new jet injection technique. The night before, he invited me for a drink to his house where I got to meet his wife Debbie. And then another meeting in Goa at the vasectomy conference. I will always remember Ron well. My heartfelt condolences to Debbie and the rest of his family.
Dr. Robert and Iwona Kulik, Goodbye, Ron
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Ron Weiss. We were deeply saddened to learn of his passing, and the news reached us only today. Ron will always be remembered for his warmth, intelligence, and the profound impact he had on so many. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Debbie during this incredibly difficult time. Please know that you are in our thoughts, and we stand with you in your sorrow. Goodbye, Ron. You will be missed dearly but never forgotten.
Dr. Ramchandra Mutri Kaza, We in India are saddened by the news of Ron Weiss passing away. We had invited him to our international conference in Amritsar India to speak on No needle No scalpel Vasectomy. His lecture was well received and much admired. Subsequently, my contact with him was only through Facebook and particularly his musical accomplishments.
