| Robert Willem Korthals | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1933-06-07)7 June 1933 Maracaibo, Venezuela |
| Died | 28 October 2023(2023-10-28) (aged 90) Toronto, Ontario |
| Education | Ridley College ('50) University of Toronto (BASc 1955) Harvard University (MBA 1961) |
Robert Willem "Robin" Korthals (7 June 1933 – 28 October 2023) was a Canadian banker who served as president of the Toronto-Dominion Bank from 1981 to 1995. Korthals joined Toronto-Dominion in 1967 and rose quickly through the ranks, becoming a vice-president in 1972 and an executive vice-president in 1978. In 1981, Korthals succeeded J. Allan Boyle to become the bank's fifth president. He remained in the post for 14 years and retired at the end of January 1995. Korthals died in Toronto on 28 October 2023 at age 90.
Biography
Robert Willem Korthals was born on 7 June 1933 in Maracaibo, Venezuela to Leendert Willem Korthals and Beatrice Stella Campbell Moir. Leendert was from Dordrecht, while Beatrice was from Maybole. Robert was raised in Curaçao. Korthals came to Canada in 1946 to attend Ridley College in St. Catharines, where he graduated in 1950. He then went on to the University of Toronto, where he studied chemical engineering, graduating in 1955. In 1961 he earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University. Korthals began his career in the investment business.
In July 1967, Korthals joined the Toronto-Dominion Bank as Superintendent, Term Financing. In November 1968 he became Superintendent, National Accounts Division, and in February 1972 General Manager, National Accounts Division. Korthals was appointed vice-president, Administration in September 1972, Senior Vice-president in November 1976, and Executive Vice-president and Chief General Manager in May 1978.
On 1 June 1981, Korthals succeeded J. Allan Boyle to become the bank's fifth president. In September 1994, the bank announced that Korthals would retire on 31 January 1995, and would be succeeded as president by A. Charles Baillie. Following his retirement, Korthals joined the Ontario Securities Commission part-time as a commissioner.
Robert Korthals was married to Judy. They had three children: Jamie, Lisa (1968–2018), and Chris (1971–2011). His daughter Lisa, a renowned skier in British Columbia, was killed in an avalanche. Robin and Judy later divorced. He remarried in 2001 to Janet Charlton. Korthals died at Belmont House in Toronto on Sunday, 28 October 2023 at age 90.
References
- "Toronto-Dominion Bank appointments," Globe and Mail, (3 March 1981), B2.
- Mathew Ingram, "TD president announces retirement," Globe and Mail, (23 September 1994), B1.
- "Korthals gets spot with OSC," Globe and Mail, (21 March 1995), B4.
- Joe O'Connor, " 'Lisa was such a bright, strong light'; Friends Remember Skiing Pioneer Lisa Korthals," National Post, (5 April 2018), A3.