Dr. Robert and Agnes Hansebout
Dr. Robert R. Hansebout, born 1935, son of Andre and Martha, brother to Loretta (m. Peter Does). Well-respected surgeon, educator, administrator and internationally-recognized researcher. He worked as a general labourer and truck driver to fund his education. Robert gained specialist recognition in neurosurgery in Canada and the United States.
Robert served as chair of the Department of Surgery at McMaster, as well as Chief of Surgery for area hospitals. He developed popular financial practice plans and recruited many surgeons to Hamilton. He was instrumental in the inception of the Surgical Outcomes Research Centre and Centre for Minimal Access Surgery. He held important roles in surgical advocacy bodies. Robert rose to Full Professor at McMaster University, becoming a tenured Professor Emeritus in 2000.
He worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life of patients with spinal cord injury. His main interest being spinal and trauma surgery; he performed over 4,000 operations, authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and gave over 100 scientific presentations at national and international conferences. Robert established spinal cord injury units in Montreal, Hamilton, and Minneapolis and he pioneered and patented the use of the drug fampridine in chronic spinal-cord-injured patients.
Bob volunteered extensively, working with the Spinal Cord Society in Minnesota, Canadian Spinal Research Organization, Hamilton Learning Centre, Think First Foundation, Acorda Therapeutics’ drug safety monitoring board, Canadian Tire Jump Start program, and Air Cadets. He gave patent rights of 4-aminopyridine to the CSRO and McMaster University. He provided extensive contributions to McMaster University and UWO, as well as École Monseigneur-de-Laval and St. Mary’s Secondary school.
Agnes Margaret Hansebout, born 1951, daughter of Istvan and Agnes (Vago) Bodi, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Agnes married the love of her life, the late Dr. Robert Hansebout in Montreal; they remained married 43 years. They returned to Ontario and had a daughter Diane and son Christopher (m. Christine Tran, parents of Isaac Robert and Isabelle Mai). Survived by her brother Joseph Bodi (m. Cindy), her sister Julianna, sister-in-law Loretta (m. Peter Does) and a number of nieces and nephews.
Agnes had a heart for her community. She served on the Special Education Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Villa and advocated for recreation and education in Hamilton, later establishing parks and schools on Hamilton Mountain. Agnes was the recipient of the Kim Harper Service award in recognition of her decades of selfless contributions to the community. Agnes received the Hamilton Trillium award for landscaping multiple times. She took a keen interest in agriculture and managing the Hansebout tobacco farms in the Aylmer area.
Agnes had a generous heart, and was always willing to take time and offer counsel to those who were fortunate to enter her orbit. Her presence and compassion will be missed, but has had a lasting impact on the lives of all who knew her. Her greatest joy came from time with her children and grandchildren, who will miss her dearly and from whom she was taken far too soon.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate the lives of Dr. Robert and Agnes Hansebout on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Rock Garden Visitor Centre, Royal Botanical Gardens (1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.greenvelope.com/event/celebration-of-life-RobertAgnesHansebout