DR. ROBERT D. WIENS

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DR. ROBERT D. WIENS Passed away in His Grace on May 10, 2017 (aged 73). The oldest son of Dietrich and Katherine Wiens (nee Swatsky) and brother of Barbara, Linda, and John, Bob grew up in Winnipeg, attending Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute for secondary school (Class of 1961) and the University of Manitoba for medical school (Class of 1967). He completed his internship and residency at Winnipeg General Hospital. Bob moved with his young family to St. Louis, Missouri in 1971, where he started as a cardiology fellow at St. Louis University Hospital. After completing his specialty training, he was offered a faculty position in the Department of Internal Medicine at SLU and decided to remain in the United States. He stayed at SLU for the next 30 years before Parkinson Disease forced his early retirement, becoming a professor emeritus in 2001. Bob was actively engaged in teaching, research, and clinical practice throughout his years at SLU. He was a full professor of Internal Medicine, the director of the outpatient cardiology clinic, and twice named acting head of the Division of Cardiology. He was involved in the St. Louis Chapter of the American Heart Association, serving as president and board member, and received its Arthur E. Strauss Lifetime Achievement Award. Like all good Canadians, Bob loved hockey and he was an eternal optimist about his St. Louis Blues. A long-time season ticket holder, he consistently felt that this year would be the one when the Stanley Cup finally arrived in his adopted home town. Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in his early 40s, but continued to live a full and courageous life with the illness for almost 30 years. Bob is survived by a loving family that knew him in many roles - high school sweetheart and precious husband for 50 years of Lynda (nee Peters); caring father of Garth and Grant; joyful father-in-law of Robyn; and adoring Opa of June and Eve. Services were held in St. Louis on May 20, 2017. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (1415 Elbridge Payne Road, Suite 150, Chesterfield, MO 63017; stlapda.org).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 03, 2017