Dr. Greg Roberts

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a young and precious member of our Canadian urological family, Dr. Greg Roberts. Greg passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 18, after a five-year battle with a rare CNS cancer. Greg was the loving husband of Erinn and father to their three sons, Cooper (8), McKay (5), and Reid (2).

Greg attended medical school at the University of Calgary and went on to his urology residency with us at Queen’s University. It was apparent at the very beginning of his training that he was a talented physician and, truly, an exceptional human being. He had an immense love of sports, as captain of his high school football, baseball, and basketball teams and later going on to play basketball for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. He was a man of incredible faith — serving as a missionary for the LDS church in the Philippines from 1999 to 2001 — which obviously framed his life’s work and loves. He was also preternaturally creative and academically driven: even before the start of his residency, he was the author of two children’s books, “S is for Spirit Bear,” and “Chin Music,” both of which were published and received rave reviews.

Greg was diagnosed nearly halfway through his urology residency, just as he was clearly beginning to flourish, making all of us envisage the great things he was destined to achieve in his career and life. Even at these early stages, we were already captivated: he demonstrated all those qualities that we seek when recruiting a colleague. His life obviously took a different direction, but he still marched on that journey with humility, humour, and jaw-dropping generosity. Every encounter Greg had with another human being was purposeful: either to learn and absorb something for his own growth and education or to give a little of himself back to that person.

Greg fought hard and painfully for five years, with multiple surgeries and radiation — half of it while successfully completing a demanding surgical specialty with no compromises. Although he was devoted to urology, he did it all to spend as much time as possible with his incredible and loving family. We want to thank Erinn and his boys (as well as the rest of his family, including his parents Ray and Carole, and his siblings Nathan, Leisha, Amy, and Matthew) for sharing him with us all. It is not hyperbole to say that he has left a legacy for us at Queen’s and for everyone who was lucky enough to enter his sphere. He will be always missed.