Tributes paid to ‘man in a million’ Angus paramedic.

Grandad was recovering from operation in hospital when he died unexpectedly

Tributes have been paid to a “man in a million” Angus paramedic who saved countless lives.

Robert Devine from Arbroath died just a week before he was due to retire from the Scottish Ambulance service after a 44-year career.

The devoted paramedic, 70, threw his life into work and doted on his wife, children and grandchildren.

He was recovering from a successful knee operation at Perth Royal Infirmary when he died unexpectedly on Sunday.

Robert’s wife, Mary, 68, has been inundated with condolences from friends and colleagues.

She said: “He was my rock, we did everything together.

“We have been married 45 years and had so many plans for when his knee was better and this was so unexpected.

“He was a man in a million, a family man through and through and a true gentleman.”

Robert began his career with the Scottish Ambulance Service in Glasgow in 1975 before moving to Arbroath to give his family a better quality of life.

He threw himself into training and was one of the first paramedics in Scotland.

He learned a number of skills, including emergency response and cardiac thrombolysis training.

Robert spent time working as an air ambulance paramedic, helping distribute flu jags and teaching safety courses for children. He also taught advance life support courses at Ninewells and worked at two T in the Park festivals.

He volunteered with the Red Cross and was invited to the Queen’s Garden Party twice in the 1980s.

Earlier this month he was awarded a certificate of recognition for his services by Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor.

Mary said her husband first retired 12 years ago and returned to work within a month.

“He missed it so much and was desperate to get back,” she said.

“He never wanted to retire in the first place.

“He just loved his work. His work was his life, as well as his children and grandchildren.”

Robert’s knee injury meant he had been unable to work for the last 18 months but Mary said he was even considering cancelling his retirement, due to happen on Monday, so he could return to help with the coronavirus pandemic when he recovered.

Mary said: “He had his operation on Friday, I spoke to him on Saturday night and he was walking but I never saw him again after that.”

Robert Devine was described as a “man in a million” by his bereaved wife Mary.