ROBERT SELBY McMILLIN

Robert Selby McMillin, BPHE, MD, CCFP (1927 - 2025) After a long and wonderful life, it is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Dr. Robert Selby McMillin. Born in 1927 to Helen (Clark) and Andrew McMillin, Bob had a loving childhood in the Toronto Beach neighbourhood along with his older brother, Andrew. From an early age he worked for his Dad in the family hardware store at Main and Gerrard, and here learned his woodworking skills and the ability to fix just about anything. He attended Malvern Collegiate and went on, at 16, to the University of Toronto. He funded his way though university building and refurbishing houses in the east end of Toronto and later by running the waterfront programs at Camp Kawagama. Always an outstanding athlete, Dr. Bob first graduated from Phys Ed ('48). He then earned his Medical degree ('54) and proceeded to Weston to set up a Family Practice, which provided 64 years of dedicated care to the west end of Toronto. Dr. Bob maintained a full-time practice until the age of 92, making him one of the longest-working GPs in Canada. In '65, he became Chief of Staff of Humber Memorial Hospital, providing incomparable leadership and support for over 26 years. When he started at Humber as a GP, there was still a dirt road to the hospital. Until his late 70s, he delivered babies (more than a thousand over the years). For decades he did tonsillectomies, casted fractures, assisted with his patients' surgeries, and till in his 80s, provided housecalls. Throughout the years he prided himself on visiting his patients in hospital every day to offer support, including Christmas. He also created the Research Ethics Committee which has grown to fund medical innovation and treatments for hundreds of patients. Dr. Bob sat on the board of Craigleith Ski Club and was instrumental in forming its Racing Program, supporting it for many decades as a coach, a parent and the race doctor. He adored skiing and racing and was often the first on the hill and last to leave. At the age of 67 he took up snowboarding, which he continued to do well into his 80s. Bob excelled at golf and was also an active member of Weston Golf Club for over 70 years, always preferring to walk the course rather than take a cart. Meeting Judie in 1972 at Humber Memorial Hospital, he often declared, was love at first site. Marrying her in 1977 changed his life as they created their own "Yours, Mine and Ours." She was his constant source of love and stability as they shared values, goals, adventures and much joy for over five decades. Bob delighted in lifelong learning, and not just in medicine. He was an ardent reader, loved skiing, canoeing and all things Scottish. He harboured a passionate concern for social justice, and was perhaps most notably remembered for his unwavering sense of intention to do the right thing. Not only a wise father, doctor and friend, Bob had the ability to make himself (simultaneously) loved, feared and respected by all who knew him. Be it family, community or profession, he was, by all accounts, an altruistic soul, a true gentleman and a man of honour. While his passing leaves a huge gap, he will be remembered for his good humour, his generous spirit, his sharp wit and heartwarming grin. He left the World a better place. At 98 years young, he is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Judie; his children, Mary (Ripper), Carolyn ( James), Lorna, Andy (Emily), Janice, Meredith (Chris) and Allison (Peter); his grandchildren, Ryley, Marissa, Jared, Jenna, drew, Robbie, Kate, Christian, James, Sadie, Kieran, Charlie, Liam, Madeleine, Ethan and Cecily; and recently blessed with ten great-grandchildren, Lily, Ellie, Nora, Adeline, Quinn, Tommy, Max, Henry, Thomas and Isabelle. Dr. Bob has donated his body to anatomical study and medical research. A generous gift that, above all else, is a gift of knowledge. With this gift, he is continuing to give an invaluable contribution to the education of tomorrow's medical professionals in preparation for a lifetime of healthcare, research and healing. There will be a celebration of life in the new year. If you wish to donate to a charity close to his heart, consider the Humber River Regional Hospital or Doctors Without Borders.