Dr. Robin Paul Dickson Menzies

Father, husband, brother, friend, physician, music lover, pipe smoker, self-proclaimed restaurant critic (for Trip Advisor), photographer, wine and scotch drinker, world traveller, golfer

Robin was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England on February 27, 1951. He grew up in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England and attended medical school in London where he worked at the Royal Free Hospital. He started his life as a doctor in North America when he did residency training in Oregon. Once qualified, he was persuaded to work in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, promising that it would only be “for a couple of years”. As it turned out, a classmate from his boarding school, Chris Green had also qualified in psychiatry and was the Medical Director at the Regional Psychiatric Centre. He joined Chris at the RPC, and thus commenced a well-documented career in forensic psychiatry.

Three years after arriving in Canada, Robin and his first wife, Rosie, had their son Paul. Another son, Thomas, arrived three years later. His children changed his life; when they were born, in an effort to maintain his physical health, Robin, began running. On one such run, in a joy-filled health kick, he threw his pipe off the bridge into the South Saskatchewan River. Those who knew Robin know that the pipe made a return in later years. It was not the last time Robin would pledge to give up smoking his pipe by symbolically throwing it into a body of water. For his family, the smell of pipe smoke is a distinct reminder of him.

One spring afternoon in 1994, Marilyn and Robin were riding their bikes in City Park in Saskatoon. Marilyn saw a dilapidated, old house. Robin saw potential, like he did in so many things, for a location for private psychiatric practice. It was the former Knox United Church minister’s residence, which had not been lived in for some time. That fall, with the help of his dear friend, Nina Francis, Robin opened his practice in Knox Manse. It was a year of exciting changes for Robin; not only did he open his practice, but married Marilyn and gained a daughter, Erin.

In the last number of years, Robin became an avid golfer, referring to himself as Marilyn’s Hole In One coach. He and Marilyn were members at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club and spent most of their summers on the course and their Januarys golfing in Hawaii. He purchased a digital camera and documented his life and holidays in pictures. These pictures were then turned into comics on his computer, complete with appropriate or inappropriate captions, and emailed to various recipients. He sent frequent emails to friends and family, never signed with his name, rather self-proclaimed monikers – james bond, rocco mediocre, feelgood (dr), warren b. To the chagrin of his family, he refused to part with his 1980s U2 sweatshirt; he wore it often, and in public, despite the fact that it was too small and well worn.

Robin was generous with his time, skill and love. He had a knack of making people feel at ease. Often, by saying the most outrageous or inappropriate things, he made people feel they were in the presence of a friend – they were. He was a compassionate doctor, father, husband, brother and friend. He was larger than life with a host of eccentricities that will never be matched nor forgotten.

He died unexpectedly at the age of 60 on Wednesday, November 16th. Robin is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sons, Paul and Thomas; his step-daughter, Erin; his brothers, Euan (Joycelyn) and Donal; nephew, Iain; nieces, Amanda and Emma; and extended family, countless friends, colleagues, students and patients. He is pre-deceased by his half-sister, Sheila; his father, Bobby; and his beloved mother, Mary.

No man is an island entire of itself; every man

is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe

is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as

well as a manor of thy friends or of thine

own were; any man's death diminishes me,

because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom

the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. (John Donne)

The Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, 838 Spadina Cres. east, conducted by Pastor David Hunter. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the United Way of Saskatoon or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.acadiamckaguesfuneralcentre.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Centre 955-1600.