Accession UAA-2008-040 - UAA-2008-040

Dr. Robert (Bob) Alexander Macbeth (B.A., M.D., M.Sc, (Hon), RACS, FRCSC) was born in Edmonton, Alberta on August 26, 1920. His parents were Dr. Alfred William and Agnes (nee. Lewis) Macbeth. Macbeth received his B.A.and M.D. from the University of Alberta (U of A), completing the latter in 1944. He was also a part of the accelerated medical course that was introduced during the Second World War. This led to Macbeth serving two years in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during his time at the U of A with an additional two years on active service in Canada.

Once discharged from the military he attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec to conduct research with Dr. J.B. Collip and as a fellow with Professor C.P. Martin. Macbeth then completed his four year clinical surgical residency at McGill. This led Macbeth to London, England for one year at the British Postgraduate medical School Hammersmith Hospital. It was during his time in Montreal that he met his wife Monique Elizabeth Filliol, who was a nurse at the Montreal General Hospital. They would have four daughters, Michele, Nicole, Danielle, and Joanne.

Once he completed his surgical training and examinations, Macbeth and his family moved back to Edmonton where he joined his father in general surgical practice at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. In 1953, Dr. Macbeth accepted a teaching position in the Department of Surgery at the U of A and by 1957 he was appointed an associated professor in the department. It was during this time Macbeth moved his practice to the University of Alberta Hospital. He was then promoted to professor and chairman of the department in 1960, along with being the director of Surgical Services at the University hospital.

In 1975 Macbeth stopped performing surgery and accepted a position at Dalhousie University’s medical program in Saint John, New Brunswick. During his career he also conducted research in medical history with his wife and two daughters in Athens, Greece, cancer research in Paris, France and at various surgical centres in the United Kingdom. After working at Dalhousie for two years Macbeth was made chief executive officer of the Canadian Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute of Canada in Toronto. He was also made the executive director of the Hannah Institute for the History of Medicine in Toronto. Macbeth retired in 1991.

Macbeth published many research papers and articles in the field of medicine. At the age of 89 he authored a book on the history of the Department of Surgery at the U of A. He also was part of surgical organizations such as the American Surgical and American Western Surgical Association.

Macbeth received awards throughout his life and career including the Moshier Memorial Medical, the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Medical Alumni Association at the U of A, the James H. Graham Award of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the John B. Neilson Award of Associated Medical Services.

Macbeth lived the later years of his life in Toronto, Ontario and passed away on June 17, 2014.