Obituary of William Alexander Robb

William Alexander Robb, MD FRCS died at his home in Calgary on Friday, March 28, 2008 at the age of ninety-two. His remarkable life began on February 21, 1916 in Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan where he was born on the family farm. Dr. Robb received his MD degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1943 and was promptly shipped overseas and posted to Italy. Following WWII, he became a family doctor in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan where he met Barbara Green, a schoolteacher, whom he married in 1949. Dr. Robb returned to the University of Western Ontario and obtained his General Surgery Certification in 1953. After further subspecialty training at the Universities of McGill and Manitoba, he earned his Fellowship in Urology in 1954. The Robb’s moved to Calgary in 1955 where Dr. Robb practiced Urology with Dr. Lorne Mitchell and Dr. Jack Noakes. Together they were recognized for their pioneeering work in the “art of the practice of medicine” when special tribute was paid to them on Surgeon’s Day in 2007 by the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Dr. Robb retired at age 77 and in his retirement he enjoyed his family and friends, his beautiful backyard, reading history, telling stories and traveling. He was an acclaimed medical practitioner whose generosity and kindness knew no bounds. Dr. Robb’s wife, Barbara, predeceased him in 1986. He is survived by their four children; Leslie (Gordon Ford), Angus (Susan Kilgour), Calvin (Jane Evenson), and Carrie (Ross Creelman); his six grandchildren, Katie (Stephen Kotkas), Helen and David Ford and Hayley, Jackson and Harris Robb; sister-in-law, Eileen Robb and many nieces and nephews around the world. He was predeceased by his sister, Kay Bruce (Alan) and by his brother, Jim. Funeral Services will be held at Lakeview United Church (3023 – 63rd Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Lisa Retzer, Dr. Peter Giannoccaro, and Dr. Sid Viner. In living memory of Dr. Alex Robb, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.