Dr. Frederick Robert “Bob” Wintonyk
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 partner, Su Omura of 35 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 gathering for Bob will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse, Yukon, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Many thanks to Dr. Adrienne Mayes, Dr. Robyn Jamieson, Dr. Robert Bousquet and Leone Bousquet, Peter and Tracey Snell, Lynn Daffe, Dr. Marjorie Crawford, Dr. Nesta Leduc 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 Dr. Bob Wintonyk Medical Scholarship the Yukon Foundation ( https://www.yukonfoundation.com ) to support the Dr. Bob Wintonyk Medical Scholarship, to help support Yukon medical students who plan to work in family medicine in Yukon.
Thank you,
Su and Family
Kevin Taylor
Kind remembrances of the care given to me by Dr. Wintonyk on more than one occasion. A kind, caring professional.
Condolences to his family.
Su
Thank you for sharing your kind words.
Deanna Luft
I am saddened to hear of Dr. Wintonyk’s passing.
He was my doctor until I moved from Yukon. He was a kind and compassionate man, and will be missed.
Su
Thank you for your kind words.
Penny Rawlings
Bob was a wonderful person to work with – lots of fun. He will be missed by so many .
Will be thinking of you Su.
Su
Thank you for your kind words. He enjoyed working in the OR with you.
Marina Bailey
I was fortunate enough to have worked with such a fine human being. I have no doubt that he will be greatly missed. A soul too fine to ever be truly gone.
Su
Thank you for your kind words.
Sandra Vedress
Bob was a friend and our family Doctor for most of the 32 years we lived in Whitehorse. I know he will be sadly missed by all who got to know him and love him. Our most sincere sympathy to his family
su
Thank you for your kind words.
Rose Murdoch
Sorry for your great loss Su, I always enjoyed my conversation with Bob I had. He was a caring, amazing man. He will be missed
Su
Thank you for your kind words. He enjoyed your help at BMO and missed you.
Madeleine Girard
On to a new journey Bob. You will be greeted with open arms wherever you land! I feel privileged to have worked with you while I worked at WGH. Your kindness and professionalism were unparalleled. Deepest condolences to Sue and family.
su
Thank you for your kind words.
Theresa Olsen
So sorry to hear of Dr Wintonyk’s passing. He was such a caring and amazing doctor. He will missed by many. RIP Bob
Su
Thank you for your kind words.
Carol Anderson
Deepest condolences Su, at this time of great loss.
su
Thank you for your kind words.
Linda Simenac
It is with heavy heart we say farewell to Dr. Bob, Rapid Robert, our friend, our co worker! You will be missed for years to come by so many. Rest in Peace Friend! Our deepest Sympathy to Su.
ANNMARIE MACAULAY
Sorry to hear of your loss Su!
Susan Walton
So very sorry to hear about Dr. Wintonyk dying…I have fond memories of him – always kind, lovely smile and great sense of humour…my sincere condolences Su.
Mary Anne Harach
A great loss, sorry to hear of the passing of Bob Wintonyk, fondly remembered. Condolences to the family. R.I,P.
Larry Jewell
My condolences for your loss. My memories will be of you both at class reunions.
Terry Nimmon
We were roommates in med school. Always had trouble waking him in the morning. .
Anita and Joe Carrington
Su
Anita and I were very saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. We so much enjoyed talking to you and Bob last winter at Murray Lieberman’s in Palm Desert and were looking forward to it again this year. Bob was a great and caring person.
Bob Carscadden
So sorry to hear of Bob passing. Fond memories from med school. His unique laugh and sense of humour
Michael Allard
Bob was always enjoyable to talk to. He was always pursuing a new sport. He loved wind surfing and had just started kite-boarding.
His sense of humor and love of a good discussion is remembered with fondness.
It was a shock to find him gone.
Phil and Linda Winkelaar
Shocked and saddened to hear about Bob. Often in the same tutorial group, I remember his humour that was a part of the class ambience. We are both glad that we had a last meeting at the reunion, but sad that it was the last time we’d see him. Our thoughts are with you, Su.
Patrick Leung
We always enjoyed talking to you and your wife. In all this class reunion.. Sad to hear your recent demise!
Mark Malinsky
Dr. Bob was special in so many ways to so many people, including us. In 1979, Bob delivered a kitten to our door when Lynn and I were grieving from a personal tragedy. He did so with no warning just a convincing smile. The kitten became an endeared family member for the next 16 years!
Don Spady
I am very sad to hear of Bob passing. He was a nice guy, gentle and friendly. I enjoyed seeing and talking with him at our class reunions.
Hugh Jones
Bob was a lovely guy! Had a sweet disposition and I really appreciated him as a classmate at U of A
Bill Kudryk
My condolences to Su. I always enjoyed Bob’s company and like everyone else, I will miss him dearly.
Geoff Gardiner
Very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing Su. I will always have great memories of talking with Bob at class reunions.
Richard M Wilson
Su, I was so shocked to hear of Bob’s passing, We were often together in clinical years as part of the W contingent. I also enjoyed our visits at all our renunions, but wish I hadspent more time with you in Vancouver. My thoughts are with you Su during this difficult time. Dick Wilson
Shirley Gee
Our deepest sympathies go out to you, Su. I was so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing.
I
He had such a friendly caring demeanor . I’m so glad that we were able to connect at least on the last couple of class reunions.
Take care
John Obenaus
So Sorry to hear this! He was one of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Always had time to say hi on his way through our department!
Kjg
Dr. Bob was my Dr when I moved to The Yukon in 1993. I ran into some health issues and he was always there working behind the scenes to try and find what was causing me some difficulty. Since his transition from a family Dr to working part time in the hospital we have cross paths a few times, he always had time to share a story and ask how my family and I were doing, he was reminiscent of Patch Adams in the sense he would treat the patient as much as the ailment, I really appreciated his sincerity. RIP Dr. Bob.
Carol and Jim Stone
Dear Su
Uncle Bob will be so dearly missed. He didn’t seem to be an Uncle , more like a Big/Older brother! We Always looked forward to his visits growing up, “what kind of new adventures/stories” would he have for us! We will miss his visits now and having phone conversations (if I could call him now I’d give him hell!!). Our last visit in December, on his and Ruthie’s way up to Edmonton was great, his pictures and stories of the holiday to London (Europe) were well told, and the roasted garlic he brought back for us has been superb! His kindness, his stories, his humour, his love for his Ukraine Heritage (how will I ask “what were those little bun things with beet leaves called?”), his love of animals, his love for the scenery around him, all those plus more, will be remembered and held close to our hearts.
My Yukon Gold Nugget necklace was always special to me but now it’s a treasure!
With Love to you Su
Kala Smith
Dr Wyntonyk will be sadly missed by my whole family, he delivered all three of my children. My daughter and I saw him before Christmas he was happy and pleased to learn that my daughter had made my husband and I grandparents. He said he still thought of her as that lil baby he delivered. He always asked about our kids. He had a kind and generous soul.
Carolyn MacKenzie
Sad to hear this news . Deepest sympathy Su. Many memories of Bob over the years at Wgh. I always thought of him as such a genuine soul. He called it like it was and when called as dr on call to maternity for the quick delivery he would encourage the nurse to keep your gloves on and give you huge encouragement.
Colleen Hemsley
My deepest condolences Su and family. I have so many fond memories working with Bob in the health centres. Oh how he loved to plan a joke on his pals; he would chuckle to himself as he plotted! Bob will be missed.
Mary Ellen Bond
Dear Su,
My heart grieves for the enormity of your loss.
Sending love,
Mary Ellen
Sepp Braun
I have been very saddened to hear about Bob’s passing. Always will have fond memories of him. He was man of good character.
Ron Myles
He was more than my doctor , he was my friend. Very sad to hear he has passed on.