Remembering Martyn Roberts

University of Toronto Professor Martyn Roberts died at his family cottage on September 5. He was a dedicated educator and an outstanding clinician, and was known for his sense of humour, his ready advice and great compassion.

Roberts has been a faculty member of U of T’s Department of Anesthesia for almost 40 years. He served as chief of cardiac anesthesia at the Toronto Western Hospital from 1978 to 1989, where he built an anesthesia team for all cardiac patients undergoing surgery – covering pre-, intra- and post-operative care. In addition, he led the establishment of the hospital’s cardiac transplant program. He also served as member of the Medical Advisory Committee and as President of the Medical Staff Association. In 2012, Roberts was awarded the Department of Anesthesia’s Clinical Excellence Award for Toronto Western Hospital.

Roberts grew up in Leeds, Yorkshire and graduated from the Welsh National School of Medicine in Cardiff in 1975. He moved to Toronto the following year, where he trained as a U of T resident and as a fellow at the Toronto Western Hospital before becoming chief of cardiac anesthesia. He joined the U of T Department of Anesthesia as a lecturer in 1978 and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1980.

A loving and outspoken husband, father, son, grandfather, uncle and brother, Roberts adored his family and will be dearly missed. He always made time for his family and friends, especially at difficult moments.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, September 10, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Trull Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 2704 Yonge Street, Toronto. 

The University of Toronto flag will be lowered on all three campuses in honour of Roberts on Tuesday, September 15, to coincide with a memorial service taking place that afternoon. Details of the service will be posted online at www.dignitymemorial.ca/trull-funeral-home-yonge

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ontario Medical Student Bursary Fund.