Suddenly, after a brief illness, Robin died peacefully, surrounded by his family on May 2, 2025, at Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke, B.C. Robin saw Queen Victoria Hospital as home, and we are so grateful for the loving care he received from the doctors and nurses there. We shall never forget the wonderful care which Dr. Batchelor gave to Robin until the end.
Robin is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Virginia Thompson; his three sons, Jamie Brooks-Hill (Alicia Carpenter), David Brooks-Hill, and Michael Brooks-Hill (Ariel Plant), all of Revelstoke; his grandchildren Automne Beauce, Kelowna, Eloise Beauce, Revelstoke, Zayden Griffin, Revelstoke, Juniper Brooks-Hill and Edwin Brooks-Hill, Revelstoke; his sisters, Heather Brooks-Hill (Jeremy Carver), Val David, Quebec, Gillian Lee, (Gerald) Georgia; nieces and nephews, Rick Brooks-Hill, Vancouver, Hilary Zimmerman, Cayman Islands, Alex Brooks-Hill, Whistler, Victoria (Tory) Brooks-Hill, Vancouver, Kathy Kranias, Toronto, Gillian Kranias, Toronto, Alison Kranias, Ottawa, and Rebecca Kranias, Montreal.
He was predeceased by his mother, Helen Brooks-Hill; his father, Frederick (Fred) Brooks-Hill; and his brother, Frederick (Rick) Brooks-Hill (Priscilla).
Robin was born in Oakville, Ont., and attended Appleby College and Upper Canada College. He received the Duke of Edinburgh Award and remained involved for many years. He graduated from medical school at the University of Toronto in 1972. This was followed by an internship at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver.
In 1973, he began his residency in psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Upon completion, he was head of outpatient psychiatry at Toronto General Hospital. Later, he headed the inpatient psychiatric unit at Women's College Hospital, and then did a clinic at Toronto Western Hospital, as well as private practice. For many years, he provided psychiatric consultation to the developmentally challenged at Surrey Place in Toronto, as well as for the Salvation Army.
In 2006, Robin moved with his wife to Revelstoke to be with family. He began providing psychiatric services at the mental health clinic, Interior Health, to Revelstoke and area, which he did for 18 years until retiring on Dec. 31, 2023. He also did most of the coverage for Salmon Arm, B.C., for 13 years and provided psychiatric consultation for the developmentally challenged in the Revelstoke, Salmon Arm and Vernon areas. He loved his work.
Robin grew up going to his family cottage on Stony Lake, Ont., and continued to go there with his own family until the present day. He also skied at Osler Bluff at Collingwood, Ont., where all his children became avid skiers. Robin skied downhill until he was 75. Robin and his wife travelled to India, Bhutan, and sailed the Northwest Passage. He travelled in Europe after medical school.
Robin was an avid reader and enjoyed genealogy. He wrote two books, one on his wife's Whitehead family and one on the Mason Branch of his mother's family. He was in the middle of the Brooks-Hill genealogy when he died. After retirement, he enjoyed daily walks with his family. Robin was a gentle, caring, and humble man with a dry sense of humour. He was an astute clinician and caring physician. He will be sorely missed by his family and many others.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Canadian Lung Association or Nature Conservancy of Canada.