LEWIS, Robert Mervyn, August 22,1939-April 22, 2014.

Bob had a singular approach to all things he did in life, and carried that through to his death. He reached his family in Vancouver on April 3 after driving himself back from wintering in Arizona and died 19 days later. Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Bob was a strategic conservationist. He didn’t believe in expending extra effort in school just for the sake of good grades (51% was good enough, allowing for an after school job at the pool hall his mother didn’t know about). On retirement he made a sport of keeping his dollar/volume ratio as low as possible at the grocery store. Not known for his sartorial style, he did make bold choices in vehicles. When hard work was called for, no one rose to the occasion quite like Bob. He worked as a chartered accountant through law school and was able to do the equivalent of a full day’s work in half the time, so was paid a full time salary. First daughter Jocelyn was born in his last semester, so Bob quit work and concentrated on his studies, winning the gold medal in his graduating class. Law was truly a calling for Bob and he was able to make a profession out of defending his clients’ rights to bend the rules. He had time for everyone who walked into the office and gave many clients hope when they had come in with none. Family was equally a calling for Bob. He was the oldest of four children (Judith, William and Kathleen) and always the big brother that could be relied upon. He and Doreen (Bakos) married in 1962 and raised their three daughters, Jocelyn (Chris), Julie (David) and Jamie (Brad) in Grande Prairie. Doreen pre-deceased Bob and in the final year of her life Bob devoted himself to full time care-giving, bringing a dedication in purpose and task-oriented work ethic impossible to describe for those not privileged to bear witness. The greatest gift Bob gave his daughters was his mostly unspoken, but always present, rock solid belief in their abilities.Bob’s job as a grandfather was done with the same enthusiasm, work ethic and unique approach he brought to lawyering. He spent many an hour playing My Little Ponies on the living room floor, going camping, attending soccer games and walking to and from school. A memorial service will be held at Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club on May 3 from 2:00-4:00.  In memory of Bob, donations can be made to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care Unit, c/o www.vghfoundation.ca  or 855 West 12th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 1M9.