Dr. Robert Graham Leigh, a highly regarded Canadian-born postal historian and international exhibitor, passed away on April 18, 2026, at his home in Champaign, Ill., following a battle with glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumour. He was 61.
Born in Chatham, Ont., on April 23, 1964, Rob developed a passion for stamp collecting at a young age alongside his father, a lifelong interest that grew into a deep and enduring commitment to philately. Over the decades, he built extensive collections of stamps and postal history while contributing significantly to the study and advancement of Canadian philately, particularly in the field of postal history.
Rob is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kimberly Anne Leigh, and their two children, Joseph Robert Leigh, wife Madeleine Elizabeth Garvey, and Jennifer Rose Leigh, all of Champaign.
For more than 20 years, Rob played an active and influential role in the Postal History Society of Canada (PHSC). He served as the society’s webmaster from 2006 until shortly before his passing, where he not only developed and maintained its website but also created and managed several important postmark databases and research tools used by collectors across the country and beyond. His dedication to the organization extended to leadership roles as well. He served as PHSC vice-president from 2010 to 2025 and was previously a director for several years.
In recognition of his contributions, Rob was elected a Fellow of the PHSC on July 21, 2018.
Beyond his work with the PHSC, Rob was also the longtime webmaster for ORAPEX, the Ottawa Regional Association of Philatelic Exhibitions, a national level show, serving in that role from 2006 to 2025.
Remembered for his generosity, quiet dedication and deep passion for the hobby, Dr. Robert Graham Leigh inspired fellow collectors through both his scholarship and his willingness to share knowledge, earning the respect and friendship of the philatelic community he valued so deeply.
An accomplished exhibitor, Rob competed at the national level and earned numerous honours, including several Grand Awards. Among his most notable achievements was his exhibit The Western District of Upper Canada: The Development of Postal Communications and Postal Markings, which captured the American Philatelic Society’s World Series of Philately Prix d’Honneur in consecutive years, 2018 in Columbus and 2019 in Omaha.
His exhibiting work reflected both depth and range, with major presentations including The Western District of Upper Canada: The Development of Postal Communications and Postal Markings, 1800 to 1850; The Bickerdike Postmarking Machines of Hamilton, 1897 to 1902; The Early Machine Cancels of Canada 1896 to 1902; and The 1935 Special Delivery Issue of Canada.
Rob was also a prolific writer, contributing more than a dozen articles on postal history to BNA Topics, the PHSC Journal, Maple Leaves and The American Philatelist. In addition, he authored two publications in the BNAPS Exhibit Series for the British North America Philatelic Society.
One of his most recognized works, Canada’s Stampless Era: a Glimpse into Canada’s Early Postal History, published in The American Philatelist, vol. 137, no. 8, August 2023, pp. 698 to 704, was awarded the 2023 PHSC Frank W. Campbell Award for the most outstanding Canadian or BNA postal history publication appearing outside the PHSC Journal.
In September 2025, Rob was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the British North America Philatelic Society, an honour he greatly appreciated. The philatelic community was a central part of his life, where he earned the respect and friendship of many.
In the United States, Rob was an active member of the Champaign-Urbana Stamp Club, where he held several positions over the years and remained a valued contributor to the local philatelic community.
Rob’s family, and Rob himself, expressed their sincere gratitude for the care, concern and support shown over the past year as they navigated the difficult course of his illness. Whether from family, friends, colleagues or former students, this support was deeply appreciated.
Dr. Robert G. Leigh will be remembered not only for his scholarly contributions and exhibiting achievements but also for his generosity, technical expertise and longstanding service to the philatelic community in both Canada and the United States. His work, particularly in building accessible research tools and advancing the study of Canadian postal history, leaves a lasting legacy for collectors and researchers alike.