JUST THE OPPOSITE NOT EVERYONE SAW EUGENE AS AN ANGRY, SUICIDAL MAN.  This report indicates that he was going through a very difficult time in his life and that his reactions were normal.  The evaluation was conducted by psychiatrist T. J. Holden, MB, ChB, MMed (Psych), FFPsych (SA), FRANZCP, FRCPC, of the Forensic Assessment Outpatient Services of the Calgary General Hospital.  The following is a direct re-typed copy of Dr. Holden's original Psychiatric Report.  A copy of the original can be obtained by writing to the Pentzes.  (Please send a SASE and $2 postage & handling)

Eugene Pentz is a 45 year old married man from Invermere, BC interviewed by myself at the Calgary General Hospital on Friday, May 14, 1993.  It is understood that Mr. Pentz and his wife will be going to court to dispute the custody of their two grandchildren who were orphaned during 1992 following the separate accidental deaths of, first their father (Mr. Pentz' son-in-law) and then a few months later their mother (Mr. Pentz' daughter).  A home study commissioned ordered from a consulting firm that deals to large degree in such custody disputes apparently suggested that Mr. Pentz may have some personality problems, and he has taken issue with certain of the opinions and conclusions that resulted.

It should be stated from the outset that it is not possible, on the basis of one cross-sectional psychiatric interview, to come to any unequivocable opinion regarding a particular individual's appropriateness or preferential suitability as regards assuming custody of non-biological dependent children.  A formal psychiatric assessment can, however, assist the court in reaching any difficult decision.  Formal psychiatric opinion comments only on an individual's mental history regarding the presence or absence of significant psychiatric illness,  It does not replace or supplant a formal psychological assessment which would comment on an individual's personality structure or a detailed psychosocial history which would provide a longitudinal picture of many areas of an individual's growth, development, and social functioning.

Mr. Pentz and his wife were both born in a small town outside Budapest, Hungary and emigrated to Canada approximately 25 years ago.  They own and work in an art studio in Invermere, BC, the details of which are included in the home study report and will not be repeated here.  They originally came to Port Moody, BC, then ended up in Invermere three years ago after a substantial period in the Shuswap.   They originally had two children, a son aged 22 who apparently has personal problems of his own, and their daughter who would not be aged 23 who died in a motor vehicle accident on August 16, 1992.  Her husband had died on June 13, 1992 in an electrocution incident.

A review of Mr. Pentz' medical and psychiatric illness is essentially negative, though he does admit to certain marital problems several years ago, and to one episode during which there was a physical altercation with his wife.  These problems seem to have been associated with periods of significant stress in this family's financial improvement.  He denies any alcohol abuse, use of drugs or even smoking a cigarette.  Both he and his wife prefer the "small town" outdoor oriented lifestyle and list hiking, camping, cross-country skiing as their hobbies.  He claims to have a small circle of friends who will vouch for his personal integrity.  He has been known to his family physician, Dr. Ian White of Invermere for the last three years, and Dr. White has informed me that the has never had any concerns in that time over his dealings with Mr. Pentz.

On examination, Mr. Pentz presented as an awake, alert, fully cooperative man who fully understood the reason for the assessment.  He was appropriately mildly anxious during the interview, but this mood state was normal and he showed a fully intact emotional responsivity.  There was nothing to suggest any psychosis or cognitive impairment, or any underlying neurological illness.  His answers were appropriate, straightforward, and pertinent to the issues under consideration.  Spontaneity and elaboration was normal throughout, with no abnormalities of thought process, form, or content.  A good rapport was established and he did not appeal to be overtly minimizing or evading any particular issues.  He has full insight into his situation and appears to be of, at least, normal intelligence.  Judgment is not impaired and he was not thought to be in any way a danger to himself or others.  It is noted that the Home Study Group had some concerns regarding his emotional reactions should the custody dispute not go in his favour.  There was nothing during our interview session, however, to suggest any catastrophic reaction.

In summary, it can be stated that Mr. Pentz' psychiatric state was normal and appropriate for the interview setting and the situation currently under dispute.

It is clear that Mr. Pentz does not suffer from any diagnosable psychiatric illness.  commenting on his personality, however, is more difficult, though it can be stated with certainty that he does not fulfill the criteria for any personality disorder as such.  This label is only applied to individuals who show a fixed maladaptive pattern throughout adulthood of pathological personality traits that lead to persistent dysfunction and repeated failures in one or other of the main areas of social functioning such as interpersonal relationships, social functioning, occupational functioning.  Clearly, Mr. Pentz could not have achieved his moderate degree of success in the art field were this to be the case.  We can conclude that he does not, by definition, have a significant personality disorder.  Whether or not any of his particular personality traits (and it must be remembered that everyone has personality traits as opposed to disorder) are detrimental to his ability to raise children, would have to be decided upon by the court upon consideration of collateral evidence by sworn witnesses.  It can be stated, unequivocally however, that Mr. Pentz does not show any evidence of personality dysfunction that should automatically disqualify him for taking custody of the dependent grandchildren.

In summary, Mr. Pentz is a man of at least normal intelligence who has over the past year experienced  extreme emotional trauma.  There may be some suggestion of marital difficulties several years ago whilst this family were experiencing financial stress, but it must also be remembered that his marriage has lasted 25 years and that this couple has overcome many obstacles following their flight from Hungary and later settlement in Canada.  Based on the information provided to me, and on my interview with Mr. Pentz himself, it would appear that he does not suffer from any significant physical, psychiatric or personality disorder.  During my interview, his mood state was appropriate for the topic and, some degree of mild depression and unhappiness is to be fully expected under the circumstances.  The court will have the final say regarding the definitive custody arrangements for the dependent grandchildren, taking into consideration the conflicting strengths and weaknesses of the two sides.  It should be stated, however, that Mr. Pentz does not show any physical, psychiatric or personality disorder that should disqualify him from being considered an appropriate foster parent.