Robert Grimard Obituary

It is with great sadness that we report the untimely death of Robert Grimard O.D.D.

Robert was a graduate of the Ecole des Opticiens d’ordonnances du Quebec and opened his first optical clinic in Montreal in 1980. Robert was not only an astute and successful businessman who went on to develop a professional and independent network of optical practices; he also found time to engage with others in the profession and the wider world of optics.

A member of the Opticians Association of Canada since its inception in 1990, Robert held posts of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Quebec Provincial OAC Director and most recently, Director of French-Canadian Affairs. Held in high regard by his peers and patients alike, Robert surrounded himself with like-minded colleagues: optometrists, opticians and team members who shared his passion, enthusiasm and professionalism to enable them to deliver the highest standard of care to his patients and nurture and inspire future opticians and optometrists and secure their future within the sector.

For us at the IOA, Robert is best known as the inaugural winner of the SILMO/IOA Optician of the Year, presented to him in September of 2018 at the prestigious SILMO d’Or Event in Paris. The award recognises that the Optician is at the heart of the Optical Business and highlights the importance of the optician within that business to be the conduit between the client and the product and their role in selecting optimum products for their clientele. In addition to this, winners of this prestigious award display attributes of Professionalism, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Innovation, Specialisation, Engagement, Advocacy and are excellent Communicators. Robert embodied all of this and more he was also willing to share his skill set with colleagues who were finding their way in the profession.

Robert was a true visionary and and a willing volunteer, advocate and mentor. We express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues around the globe. Robert will be sorely missed by us all.