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Guilbault says goodbye to practice but not to Humboldt

It was something that has been in the back of Dr. David Guilbault’s mind for the last year. However, a medical emergency made retirement an early reality for the Humboldt based optometrist. Guilbault, with partner Dr.
David Guilbault's retirement
David Guilbault was planning to retire from Humboldt Vision Centre by the end of 2018. However, health troubles have meant early retirement from his 32 year optometry career. photo by Becky Zimmer

It was something that has been in the back of Dr. David Guilbault’s mind for the last year.

However, a medical emergency made retirement an early reality for the Humboldt based optometrist.

Guilbault, with partner Dr. Curtis Knight, was ready to just fade away from the practice and become officially retired at the end of 2018.

By November 2017, health problem arose that are now resolved. Guilbault says he is lucky for how little his health has been impacted since many people he met in rehabilitation had more serious issues that he was lucky to avoid.

Even with some memory problems, it was enough to cause an early retirement.

“It was enough. I can’t do that to my patients.”

Guilbault was recruited to join Dr. Gerry Rooney back in 1986 from a small place in Illinois about 60 miles west of Chigaco. It was just like Humboldt, says Guilbault, with a 5,000 person farming community.

Rooney even sent Guilbault a ticket to come check it out. Walking around Humboldt, Guilbault knew that he wanted to come and make a life here.

“I knew all about Canada because I was born and raised in Michigan but I didn’t know how much it would cost to live here. I was in Saskatchewan, not Kansas,” he laughs.

By 1992, Rooney had retired and Guilbault was on his own until 2003 when he was joined by Knight.

Knight, a former Humboldt Bronco, billeted with Guilbault and his wife while he played in Humboldt. Guilbault had always been impressed by his hard work.

“It was easy to acclimate for (Knight) because he’s a small town Saskatchewan boy and he picked up and got involved in anything and everything in town.”

By 2012, the pair moved into their current location at the Quill Centre on Humboldt’s west side.

Guilbault himself has been involved in many different aspects of the Humboldt community, from the Broncos to the Golf Club to coaching basketball in the high school.

He has built a life with him and his family and he assures everyone that he is not going anywhere.

“I love living in this town. It’s nice, if you need some help, you always got somebody around to help...I’ve had an enjoyable life here and will continue to be here.”

Guilbault is thankful to live in such a supportive community, especially considering the numerous neighbours who were looking after him in different ways during his illness.

He came home from the hospital to a shoveled sidewalk and he laughs that no neighbour will admit to doing it.

While he does not have many concrete plans, besides staying in Humboldt, Guilbault is planning to travel with his wife, Karen, who has been the office manager for the last 25 years.