Dr. Robert A. H. KINCH

MB, BS, FRCSC, FRCOG, CPSQ, AOGQ, FACOG, PROFESSOR EMERITUS DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, MCGILL UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE DR. ROBERT A. H. KINCH, On the morning of July 22nd, 2011, Dr. Robert Arthur Hugh Kinch died at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He was 91 years old, a long life with a profound impact on those who loved him, those who worked with him, those he taught and those he healed. He is adored by his wife Kathy Keefler and loved to bits by his children: Martin (Miro) Richard (Anne) Cynthia, Jenepher (Larry) Shelagh (Marc) Robin (Greg), by his stepdaughters: the late Danielle (Kim), Nicole (Mark) and Michelle (Pete), by his grandchildren: Abigail, Jeffrey, Shannon, Leigh, William, Elisabeth, David, Matthew, Juliana, Alexi, Natasha, Graeham, Amelia and Juliette and by his great grandsons Hugo, Rainer, Michael and Nolan. Dr. Kinch was born in Kut-El-Amara, Mesopotamia (Iraq) the son of a British Naval Captain. He spent his early years in Bombay (Mumbai) India, and attended The Cranbrook School in Kent, England. He studied medicine during the Blitz at Middlesex Hospital Medical School and Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital in London, England. He then enlisted and served as a Surgeon Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy. He saw action in the North Atlantic, South Pacific and on D-Day. In 1949, he immigrated to Canada with his former wife, Patricia and young family. He launched his medical career in Toronto as a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist. In 1957 he and his family moved to London, Ontario, where he became the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Western Ontario. Then, in 1968, Dr. Kinch moved to Montreal as MGill Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and continued his career to become Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Montreal General Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital. In 1979 he was appointed Professor and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of McGill University. Dr. Kinch is recognized around the world as a leader in Obstetrics and Gynecology and as a true pioneer in women's health. Throughout his career he helped thousands of babies into this world and treated countless women. His waiting room was always jammed because he made sure every patient got the time she needed. He listened, he cared and his patients loved him. He was also devoted to teaching and taught until he was 86. He helped thousands of medical students, residents and fellows into the world of Obstetrics and Gynecology. All of his students benefited from his superb teaching, extraordinary medical knowledge and his human approach to the treatment of his patients. His teaching philosophy was 'choose them, cherish them and launch them'. Many of his students have achieved success in academic medicine and among his graduates are the Chairs of the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of eight Canadian universities. This is an achievement unique to him. Dr. Kinch was a man of compassion and insight. His concern for his patients and students exemplify the healing art of medicine. He received many honours and awards during his medical career, and was an Osler Fellow and recipient of The Robert Kinch Chair in Women's Health at McGill University. In keeping with his wishes, a private family memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Robert Kinch Chair in Women's Health, McGill University, The McGill Programs in Whole Person Care, McGill University, or Head and Hands 5833 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Q.C., H4A 1X4, and would be greatly appreciated.