Robert Willem Korthals
Robin Korthals | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Willem Korthals Template:Birth date Maracaibo, Venezuela |
| Died | October 28, 2023 (aged 90) Toronto, Canada |
| Occupation | Banking executive |
| Years active | 1967–1995 |
| Known for | President of Toronto-Dominion Bank (1981–1995) |
Robert Willem "Robin" Korthals (7 June 1933 – 28 October 2023) was a prominent Canadian banking executive who led the Toronto-Dominion Bank as its president from 1981 until 1995. After joining the bank in 1967, he experienced swift career progression, attaining the role of vice-president by 1972 and advancing to executive vice-president in 1978. He took over the presidency from J. Allan Boyle in 1981, becoming the institution’s fifth president and serving in that capacity for fourteen years before retiring in January 1995.
Biography
Korthals was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and spent his early years growing up in Curaçao. In 1946, he relocated to Canada to pursue education at Ridley College. He completed a degree in chemical engineering at the University of Toronto in 1955 and subsequently earned an MBA from Harvard University in 1961. His professional journey began in investment, after which he joined Toronto-Dominion Bank in 1967 as Superintendent of Term Financing. Over the following years, he held multiple positions including Superintendent of the National Accounts Division, General Manager, Vice-president, Senior Vice-president, and by 1978 had become Executive Vice-president and Chief General Manager.
On 1 June 1981, Korthals assumed the presidency of Toronto-Dominion Bank. It was announced in September 1994 that he would retire at the end of January 1995, with A. Charles Baillie named as his successor. Post-retirement, Korthals contributed part-time as a commissioner for the Ontario Securities Commission and was appointed chairman of North American Life in May 1995, a role he held until its acquisition by Manulife later that year.
Korthals was married twice. His first marriage to Judy produced three children: Jamie, Lisa (1968–2018), and Chris (1971–2011). His daughter Lisa, recognized as a distinguished skier from British Columbia, tragically died in an avalanche. In 2001, he married Janet Charlton. Korthals died at Belmont House in Toronto on 28 October 2023 at the age of ninety.