“Remember Robin with smiles, not tears; For all the joy through all the years”
Loved for his ever thoughtful, caring and generous nature, Robin passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at the age of 81 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He leaves behind his sons, Kibben (Danielle) and Tristan (Jennifer), his much-loved wife and partner, Lorine, his step-children Colin (Angela) and Heather (Steven), and his grandchildren, Tanner, Severin, Kai, Quinn, Caleb, Cooper and Margot. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joan, who passed away in 1997.
Robin was born in Montreal to parents Maurice and Marjorie (nee Whiton) Jackson, growing up in the NDG neighbourhood along with his older sister Sue, his twin sister Pam, and his step-brother Mike. He attended university at McGill where he obtained his doctorate degree in dentistry in 1968 and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Orthodontics in 1970 at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Throughout his university years, Robin worked at the Manoir Richelieu hotel in Quebec, rising to become the assistant guest services manager at the hotel. He made many lifelong connections at the hotel, and could always be counted on to find a hotel job for fellow students and family members.
Robin excelled at football in High School. As an adult he enjoyed swimming, skiing , biking and any activity that his sons or Lorine were involved in.
In 1970, Robin and Joan left Montreal for the west coast where Robin established a successful orthodontic practice with offices in Richmond and Vancouver, building many beautiful “Jackson” smiles for over 45 years. Robin lived and breathed orthodontics, and was considered an expert in the orthodontic care of children affected by Cleft Palate and other craniofacial birth defects. He enjoyed his work and patients immensely and was thankful for his staff, his colleagues, his partner Ron Markey and the many friendships he cultivated during his years of practice. Robin was active in dental and orthodontic politics, serving for many years in various positions with the B.C. Society of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, the Edward H. Angle Society and the American Association of Orthodontics. Robin completed his career by sharing his clinical expertise with students at the University of British Columbia, School of Dentistry.
Robin had a strong connection with Pender Island, where he and Joan bought land and built a vacation home. He loved fishing, tinkering with whatever needed fixing and being with family. Over the past seven years, Robin and Lorine sought warmer winter climates and found a niche on Maui where Robin enjoyed snorkelling, sun and making many new friends.
Robin would like to thank his care providers, including Dr. Jonathon Squires, Dr. Merrick Tosefsky and Dr. Jyothi Jayaraman.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting friends and colleagues consider making a donation in Robin’s memory to the UBC Parkinson’s Research center, or the Dr. Robin S. Jackson Memorial Bursary at McGill University.