Passed away peacefully at home in Vancouver at the age of 73 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in October and suffering devastating neurological symptoms. He met these final challenges with courage, dignity and grace. His brilliant mind, humour and wit were intact to the end.
Allan is survived by his adoring wife Robin Scobie, his sons Tyler Dobie (Nicole Rhynold) and Logan Dobie (Karlene Smith), and his six grandchildren: Elwyn, Xavier and Onyx Rhynold-Dobie, Wesley, Roxanne and Eloise Dobie; his five siblings: Judith Gunderson (David Gunderson), David Dobie (Diane Burt), Sheila Dobie, Elizabeth Dobie-Sarsam (Hassan Sarsam) and Gwenyth Dobie (William Mackwood); his Scobie in-laws: Gillian Scobie (Laurel-Lea Shannon), Pamela Scobie (Martin Eeles) and Thomas Scobie; his Dobie in-laws Karl Lilgert and Patricia Bambrick; many beloved nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. Al was predeceased by his parents, Helen and George.
Born in Fort St. John, BC to Rev. Dr. George Dobie and Helen Dobie (née Petersen), the family moved around a lot with George’s many ministries across Canada. After graduating from high school in 1967 in Red Deer, Alberta, Al backpacked solo for a year through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. His passion for travelling continued throughout his life including travels through Mexico, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and return trips to Europe. He especially loved beaches and snorkelling in the tropics.
After returning from Europe in 1968 he attended Ottawa Teachers College and taught for a short time before his wanderlust took him to a homesteading adventure in Telegraph Creek in Northern BC where he first learned the art of log house construction by building a small cabin, living mostly as a hermit for a year.
After more time working in Northern Canada, he settled in Kaslo, BC in 1975, soon followed by his love Robin. Al immediately got involved in the restoration of the 1896 Langham Hotel, which became the Langham Cultural Centre, winner of a Heritage Canada award.
Allan and Robin were married in 1976 on Fletcher Falls beach near Kaslo and were affectionately known as the “Scobie-Dobies”. Their son Tyler was born in 1977 and their son Logan was born in 1982. Allan and Robin were madly in love and best friends for 47 years. They co-owned a 19 acre stretch of land north of Fletcher Falls called Huckleberry Ridge and built a log cabin there with their land partners.
Inspired by the Langham project, at age 30 Al chose to study Architecture at the University of Calgary and in 1984 obtained his Masters degree in Environmental Design (Architecture) – a degree focused on designing buildings for their surrounding natural environment.
The Scobie-Dobies moved to Ottawa in 1987 where Al worked as an Architect on diverse projects, including implementing a barrier-free accessibility program for Parks Canada in the Ontario region. He then spent two years working in Iqaluit, Nunavut as the Project Manager for the construction of the new Territory’s Legislative Assembly building and housing infrastructure in remote Arctic communities.
While in Ottawa he maintained a backyard rink in the winters, much enjoyed by family and friends. In the summers he enjoyed gardening. He was always a supportive and loving father to both of his sons. The family went on camping trips and adventurous travels, and spent a lot of time at the Scobie family cottage on Big Rideau Lake, where Al developed a passion for sailing.
For his final move, Al and Robin chose to live on the ocean, eventually co-owning a sailboat with dear friends – Windrunner III – which enabled he and Robin to explore the beautiful B.C. coast with family and friends. He applied his creative talents to skilfully renovating their final home together on False Creek.
He finished his career in Vancouver as a research consultant at CMHC from 2000 until his retirement in 2013. He made significant contributions to innovative sustainable solutions to housing and building technologies, with a focus on energy efficiency and improving the quality and affordability of Canadian housing.
During his retirement, Allan authored a science-fiction novel titled “Burnt Crust” and self-published it on Amazon in 2016. Reading was one of Allan’s main hobbies in life… he read thousands of books and spent most of his retirement years travelling and reading, spending fun Papa time with his 6 grandchildren, and feeding peanuts to the crows of False Creek.
Al Dobie will be remembered as a rugged individualist and a bit of a radical anarchist, bucking convention, forging his own path, and being ahead of the curve. He lived life on his own terms according to his values and principles which included compassion, kindness, a commitment to social justice and a deep love for family and friends. His rich deep voice and great infectious laugh will be with us always.
Thank you to all those who lit a candle or sipped a whiskey in honour of Al at the time of his death; we are all connected in a circle of love and light together. Events to celebrate Allan’s life are being planned for this spring.
Hark now, hear the sailor’s cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
into the mystic.
