Posted by Carol Hutchinson on Oct 04, 2019
Guest Speaker: Friday, October 18, 2019
Location: Fairmont, Imperial Room
Topic: Yes, Believe It! Polio Update Again.
Host: Alex Brown
 
Bob was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, and received a medical degree with distinction in dermatology and chest diseases from the University of Edinburgh in 1957.  Bob immigrated to Cobourg Ontario Canada, where he continued as a small town general practitioner which involved all aspects of medicine. He was a coroner for the Province of Ontario and investigated more than 1,200 cases before retiring in May 2003.
 
Bob became a member of the Rotary Club of Cobourg, in 1971 and served as President in 1977-78 and subsequently on many District 7070 committees and also served on many committees for Rotary International after his year as District Governor in 1987-88 and was elected a director in 1996 being appointed vice President for the year 1997-98. In 2010 Bob Chaired the Montreal Convention
 
In 2004, Bob became a Rotary Foundation trustee and elected Chair of the Trustees in 2007-08. In 2006, he began his term as chair of the International PolioPlus Committee a position he held until 30 June 2014.  He has rejoined the committee as of 1 July 2015 as an advisor. He has taken part in many National Immunisation Days in many counties including Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Egypt.
 
A Paul Harris Fellow, Bob has received the RI Service Above Self Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and The Distinguished Service Award, the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World, and the Four Avenues of Service Citation. He has been named an outstanding leader in polio eradication by the United Nations Foundation and has received the Glenn Sawyer Service Award from the Ontario Medical Association for professional and community achievement. He received the Sitare-i-Khidmat award from President Zardari of Pakistan and was awarded the Order of Chad at the level of Chevalier by President Deby. Bob received the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General and last year he was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
 
Bob is married to Ann an Honorary Rotarian. They are both major donors of The Rotary Foundation and members of the Arch Klumph Society. They have 4 married children and 8 grandchildren