It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Bob Gardiner, at his home in Kingston, Ont. Bob was the only child born to Arthur and Irene (Brown) Gardiner on Jan. 20, 1938. Beloved husband of Connie (Lawson) for 63 years; and devoted father to Tim (Nancy Mair), David (Michelle Chui) and Christopher (Margarita Xistris). Proud grandfather of Charlotte, Robert, Jessica, Heather, Anna, Alice, George, Andrew and Evan. Bob was born in Kingston and lived in Ottawa and London before attending the University of Western Ontario. He graduated top of his medical class in 1961 and served on the university council representing medical students. He took a great interest in endocrinology, eventually specializing in diabetes.
He began his career in London, then Montreal, and in 1968 was awarded an M.R.C Centennial Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1970, the family moved to Montreal, where he was appointed director, division of endocrinology and metabolism in 1970 at Montreal General Hospital. Bob was also an associate professor of medicine and clinical medicine at McGill University. In 2004, Bob and Connie retired to Kingston, although Bob continued to assist the Kingston community, seeing diabetic patients there until 2011. Bob was president of the Canadian Diabetes Association from 1980 to 1982, and was a life member of the International Diabetes Federation. Bob spent a sabbatical year at the IDF office in Brussels in 1990 and travelled throughout Europe learning about other countries' treatment of diabetes. He continually advocated that Canada become more serious about the disease, and its prevention and treatment. Among his numerous awards, Bob was the recipient of the Dr. Gerald S. Wong Service Award in 2004 in recognition of his significant contributions to the diabetes community.
Bob's love was his family, and medicine. He was a devoted member of the Anglican Church of Canada, serving the parishes of Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal as warden, and St. George's Cathedral, Kingston. He was elected a national delegate to General Synod five times. He excelled at committee work and consensus building. One of his most interesting church committees oversaw an engineering feat, the so-called 'Christ Church Cathedral on stilts.' It connected what was then Eaton's with The Bay by tunnel. Cathedral Place behind the existing cathedral was also part of the project. Among his other interests, Bob was a past president of the Royal Montreal Curling Club. He and Connie enjoyed many cycling trips abroad, and he was very happy spending time at the family cottage north of Kingston. He was loyal, dedicated and punctual, and loved trains!
The family wishes to thank so many: the palliative teams of doctors and nurses; the caregivers, especially Richa, Jeny, Tidiya, Maria and Joselyn; the support of Lynn's Friday group and St. George's Cathedral; and so many friends, especially Andrew. Bob was a big supporter of Diabetes Canada.