Bob passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday July 26 with his wife Norma by his side. Bob has a family who will miss him dearly; his loving wife Norma, daughter Carolyn and her husband Kevin, son Andrew and his wife Phet, and grandsons Geoff and Fifa. He will also be dearly missed by his extended family in Iowa and his many lifelong friends.
All good memories – a good and kind husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His greatest joy was found in the simple pleasures of spending cherished moments with his family, whom he loved more than anything, surrounding them with warmth and kindness. It is this legacy of love and devotion that will forever remain etched into the hearts of his family and all those fortunate enough to have known him.
Bob was a Pediatric Endocrinologist and Administrator and leaves behind an incredible legacy of service to the medical profession and establishing effective medical infrastructures in 5 hospitals and 4 countries. He was one of the first faculty members of the University of Calgary Medical School and was Head of Pediatrics at Alberta Children’s Hospital, Foothills Hospital and Faculty of Medicine University of Calgary (1986 – 1991). Bob also served as the Vice-President of Medicine at the Greater Victoria Hospital Society (1991-1993) in addition to being the Medical Director of the National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1993 – 1996), the Medical Director of the American Hospital, Dubai, UAE (1996 – 1999) and the Medical Director of the Normah Medical Specialist Centre in Kuching, Malaysia (1999 -2001). Bob also published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, contributed several chapters in books and wrote a book helping children with diabetes. “Dr. Bob”, as his patients called him, established a protocol for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis with his team over the period from 1969 to 1991 and treated over 250 cases with diabetic ketoacidosis without a single death. Bob loved helping children and teaching young medical students. A single page cannot contain all his accomplishments but know that in his heart, he always wanted to be kind and to know that all he could have given was given.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others”.
Condolences to the family may be offered below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Catherine Cook (nee Organ)
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DHR Truscott md. Hi Norma – I was so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. I seem to have lost your Victoria address as wanting to send a Christmas card ! Just reviewed all the kind notes that people have sent you and Carolyn and Andrew ! You must know that your family were the best neighbours we ever had and we missed you so much when you left for Victoria . I will never forget how Bob covered our pediatric practices while both Mike and Dianne Heimbach and Marilyn and I got to go to Expo 67 ! And how much Bob contributed to the early development of the medical school here in Calgary. Kathy always remembers enjoying baby sitting at your place ! Thanks for your friendship over the years . I am sure your support was a very important element in Bobs impact on the field of pediatric medicine. Sorry for the delay in getting my message to you. Would love t see you sometime – Karla has moved to Vancouver Island so maybe I will see you in Victoria sometime ! Cherish your memories. Ross. Truscott.
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Allan Donsky To Norma and family,
It is with great personal sadness and heartfelt condolences for you on the passing of a fine man and a dear soul. When I interviewed for my paediatric residency in early 1988, Bob was already head of department and a major factor in my choosing ACH in Calgary. He was so welcoming and displayed everything that can be wonderful in a physician.
On a frosty morning in December he walked around the corner near the old ICU to see one of his first year residents making his rounds dressed as the Christmas fairy (including tiara, pink leggings and wand ). He continued his mindful walking without breaking stride, said “Hello Allan” and carried on the conversation with his entourage. I am sure I caught a glimpse of his gentle smile as we passed each other.With respect always for his legacy.
May fond memories be a great comfort to you at this difficult time.
Allan D.
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Paul and Diana Caron Dear Norma and Family,
Our condolences to each of you and we are certain that rich memories will sustain you forever. Dr Bob was the constant that supported our family for years at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. His talents were self evident ,his kindness ever present and notwithstanding his achievements , he was always humble . We were blessed to have known him.
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Virginia Pleinis Maloney Sincere condolences to Dr McArthur’s family and friends.
I had the great fortune to meet Dr McArthur at Foothills hospital
in September 1973. My son Darcy Pleinis age 8 was cared
for during the duration of Dr McArthurs stay in Calgary.There are not enough words to describe the loveliness of this man.
Kind, caring, intelligent with virtually no ego for a gentleman of
his talents.He was apolitical and refused to play those games, seeking no glory despite the accolades that he so richly deserved.
Darcy is alive 50 years later, Type 1 and in no small part because of the
great care given by Dr Bob. Forever loved and admired.
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Michael Giuffre MD Dr Bob …. To your family we can only offer condolences and fond memories as you will be missed yet not forgotten. I reminisce to your influence on medicine, pediatrics, healthcare leadership, mentorship, teaching, authorship, caring and kindness. Leading by example, Dr Bob was truly legendary, influential and simply wonderful to be around. You and your family, Dr Bob, can be proud as you left this world in a better place. Thank you for all that you and your family do and did for your profession and society.
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Marina Skulsky Dear Norma and Family,
I was saddened to read about Dr McArthur. I was blessed to have him as my student advisor in Medical School at U of C. He was an exceptionally wonderful and compassionate physician.
He even won Professor of the Year for University of Calgary.I always remember him laughingly commenting that his Father’s greatest disappointment was that he didn’t take over the furniture business!
This seemed so unbelievable to a young student (as I thought him brilliant and exactly in the profession he was born to.)He was a masterful teacher, so gentle and kind with children, and patiently brought out the best in all his students.
He even had great writing for a physician!
Thanks Norma for all the student dinners you hosted as well.
So many fond memories of a Great Man..
Marina Skulsky
MD Class of 1978
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Joy Graham Norma, Carolyn, and Andrew: I was so sad to read of Bob’s passing in the paper this morning. Your wonderful, kind husband and father gave me the most rewarding years of my career at the Children’s hospital. He truly felt like a loving big brother to me, and I have so many cherished memories, and ingrained knowledge from all of the years we worked together. What I loved most about him was his amazing ability to make every person he encountered feel good: from the appreciation he extended to the housekeeping staff, the praise and positive encouragement he extended to frightened, stressed parents, and the trust he bestowed upon his colleagues, including myself. He spoke of his family with such love and respect. Norma, I will always cherish my memories of visiting you and Bob at your beautiful home in Victoria. I hope that you will have the support that you need in the months ahead. Joy Graham
Hello to the Mcarthur family…..
Thank you for sharing a wonderful man with the rest of the world. Dr Bob saved my life when I was 12 years old and helped with further diagnosis when I was 16 and 26. I am now 64 years old and have had a wonderful, full and rewarding life thanks to Dr Bob. I am sure there were many times when he had to be at a hospital or seeing patients in a clinic and that took him away from spending cherished moments with you. However, I wanted you to know that he impacted so many other lives too by being a wonderful and caring doctor.
I wish you my heartfelt condolences on his passing. Apologies this was not sent earlier but I just learning of his passing via the Calgary medical community.