Robert James SOLLARS

SOLLARS, Robert James
Longtime Regina OB/GYN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bob on March 5th at the age of 91. Predeceased by his wife of 40 years Margaret, his second wife Patricia and his granddaughter Virginia Thomson. Bob leaves behind his five children: Philippa Fugler (Bob) of Kingston, Susan Sollars (John Thomson) of Ottawa, Andy Sollars of Regina, Sarah Neil (Paul) of Victoria, and David 'Tiger' Sollars (Diane Comtois) of Ottawa, his 11 grandchildren: Kate Grohsgal and Joanna Line, Maggie and Bronwyn Thomson, Mackenzie and Madisen Sollars, Molly, Allison and Eric Neil and Caroline and Alexandre Sollars and 2 great-grandchildren: John Grohsgal and Jackson Johnstone. Born and raised in England, Bob attended medical school during WWII with an obligation to join the British Army upon graduation. Stationed in occupied Germany, Bob met Margaret, a British Army physiotherapist. After marriage and the birth of Philippa, Bob and Margaret moved to Canada. Bob found opportunity to practice medicine in rural Saskatchewan and shortly thereafter Susan was born (Central Butte) followed by Andy and Sarah (both Radville). Wishing to pursue a specialty, Bob and Margaret pulled up stakes and moved to Columbus, Ohio where Bob trained in obstetrics and gynaecology. In the early '60's, with talk of another war (Vietnam) and with a son who could one day be draft eligible, Bob and Margaret were more than happy to return to Saskatchewan after Bob's training. This time it was to the Queen City. Soon after the move to Regina, Tiger was born, a promise to Margaret if she agreed to the Ohio adventure. Bob loved practicing in Regina, serving the population of southern Saskatchewan, working with all the staff at the Regina General and Pasqua (formerly The Grey Nuns) Hospitals and teaching 'the trade' to young OB/GYNs. This was recognized with the creation of 'The Dr. Bob Sollars Teaching Award for Postgraduate Teaching' awarded annually to the best clinical teacher as voted by the OB/GYN resident doctors training in Regina. Bob's hobbies when not delivering babies or performing surgery were gardening, tennis, squash, wine tasting and skiing (with ever present Whoa! Damit! ski pin). Bob and Margaret and the family had many great summer and winter vacations at their getaway in Big Sky, Montana. Bob spent his retirement years on Vancouver Island in the oceanside town of Sidney. Many thanks to the staff at the Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion and Home Instead, particularly Randy, Don and Rock. A memorial service will take place in Regina in the spring or summer to inter Bob with Margaret in their plot at the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery where together they can forever enjoy their favourite pastime of watching Saskatchewan's glorious sunsets. Well done Dr. Bob, a life well lived!

For those who may choose to honour Bob with a memorial gift please consider The Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation (www.kiwanispavilion.ca/get-involved/donate/).

Condolences and memories of Bob can be shared with the family at DrRobertSollarsMemorial@gmail.com. Please email if you are interested in attending the memorial service.

Bob was a lifelong admirer of Winston Churchill and would be pleased to end this announcement with the following Churchill quote: 'I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.'