Dr. Frederick Robert (Bob) Wintonyk passed away on Christmas Day in ICU at Whitehorse General Hospital at the young age of 75.
Bob was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, the youngest of 9 children to Anna (née Swerhun) and D’mytro Wintonyk.
Bob started his formal education in a one-room schoolhouse and went on to study medicine at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and completed his internship at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary, Alberta.
Bob worked briefly overseas in Grenada and worked in Yukon and Northern B.C. for most of his career. His approach to medicine was exemplary. He was hard-working, straightforward and kind. His patients benefited from having his total support and devotion. Bob had a broad and varied group of friends. He touched many people’s lives with his friendship. His loyalty, kind-heartedness, compassion, sense of humour and love of practical jokes were legendary.
Bob embraced life to the fullest. He loved to travel and had developed a passion for kitesurfing and windsurfing. His motto was to “Live life”.
Bob cared deeply for all and those less fortunate and would take time to listen to their story and help out in simple ways.
Bob leaves behind his longtime partner, Su Omura of 35 years, his remaining sister, Ruth McKee (née Wintonyk) of Calgary, Alberta, and Arnold our loving cat of 15 years.
Cremation has taken place. Bob was proud of his Ukrainian heritage and a small party with Bob’s last homemade batch of borscht and kutia was enjoyed by neighbours and friends. A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at a later date.
Many thanks to Dr. Adrienne Mayes, Dr. Robyn Jamieson, Dr. Robert Bousquet and Leone Bousquet, Peter and Tracey Snell, Lynn Daffe, Dr. Marjorie Crawford, and WGH Emergency and ICU team, as well as all of our friends and colleagues for your kind support and thoughts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Yukon Foundation to help establish a fund in Bob’s memory for a worthy and deserving Yukon medical student (to be established).
Thank you,
Su, Ruth, and Arnold the Cat.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Frederick Robert Bob Wintonyk July 24 1944 December 25 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Whitehorse, Province: Colombie britanique