Robert Donald McBane was born Sept. 15, 1930, in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada to Dr. John Kenneth and Ethel (Cordick) McBane. He was the older brother to Mary who resides in Aylmer, Ontario.
Donald was raised in Rainy River and enjoyed playing hockey and working alongside cousins who ran commercial fishing operations on Lake of the Woods. He attended grade 13 in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario as a preparatory course for university. After attending three years of undergraduate school, he began medical school at the University of Manitoba at age 20 years. He completed his Doctor of Medicine degree followed by a residency in general practice with an emphasis in obstetrics at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was a lifelong student of medicine and was board-certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians for forty years. There was a mutual regard between Dr. McBane and his patients, characterized by love, respect, and compassion. He cared deeply for his patients and, in turn, they had great respect for him.
He met his true love, Isabel Lillias Fairgrieve, at a college dance at the University of Manitoba. They married Sept. 1, 1955, after they both completed their educational goals. Donald was soon recruited to Towner, ND, where he spent the first two years of his medical career. In 1958, he transitioned to the Lake Region Clinic in Devils Lake where he practiced until he retired in 1995.
Donald and Isabel had three children: Laurie, Robert II (Tamara) and John (Kathy). Donald delighted in spending time with his children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. He and Isabel were enthusiastic UND hockey fans, active members in the Devils Lake community, and enjoyed exploring Ramsey County and surrounding prairie roads.
Preceding Donald in death were his parents, in-laws Clague (Aileen) Fairgrieve, Elizabeth (Norman) Philip, Bruce (Isobel) Fairgrieve, Tom (Lorraine) Fairgrieve, and Doug Mitchell, extended family members and animal companions MacBeth, Angus, and Puff.
Donald is survived by his loving wife, Isabel, children, grandchildren; Robert III (McKenna), Katherine, Ian, Lillias, Alec, Grant, Gabrielle, Jillian, Sophia, and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, June 19, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Devils Lake followed by a committal service at the Devils Lake Cemetery. Following the services, family and friends are invited for food and fellowship at the Devils Lake Elks Club.
In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Dr. McBane with a contribution to the University of North Dakota Foundation Dr. R. Donald and Isabel L. McBane Scholarship Endowment (3501 University Avenue Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202) or to a charity of your choice.
