Arthur Robert MILLS

Robert Mills made his debut with the Canadian national rowing team at the 1983 Pan American Games, where he won gold medals in the double sculls, with the non-Olympian Philip Haggerty, and the quadruple sculls, alongside Haggerty, Mel LaForme, and the non-Olympian Greg Murphy. He was then selected to represent Canada in the quadruple sculls at the 1984 Summer Olympics, taking a seat that had long been held by Bruce Ford. Amid protests from his teammates, Mills gave up his spot in an attempt to qualify for the single sculls and was successful, defeating Ford’s former double sculls partner and five-time Canadian champion Pat Walter. He then travelled to the Games and finished third in the event, earning the bronze medal that he might have won had he remained with the quadruple sculls crew.

After the Olympics Mills made a permanent shift to the quadruple sculls and won the event at the 1985 World Championships with LaForme, Paul Douma, and Doug Hamilton. This quartet went on to win bronze at the next two editions of the tournament, but could only manage ninth at the 1988 Summer Olympics, after which Mills retired from active competition. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.