Service, Robert William (Bob) passed away peacefully on Friday, December 14 in Vancouver at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife Audrey, son John (Deb) in Toronto, daughter Joanne (Dave) in Victoria, grandchildren Jack, Nick, Katie and Nicole and siblings Eileen in Victoria and David (Lil) in Edmonton, nieces and nephews.
Bob was an Irish policeman’s son who was born in Duncan, BC and grew up in small towns all over BC before graduating from high school in Chilliwack. He had his first radio show by the age of 14, helped put CHQM radio on the air as Chief Engineer, and spent 35 years at CBC TV during the golden age of broadcasting in Canada. He was an avid ham radio operator (silent key VE7AA). He could (with some colourful language) fix things. He knew how things worked and made up stuff that sounded wise even when he didn’t exactly know the answer. Or sometimes, he’d simply say “It’s magic.”
The family is deeply grateful for the kind and compassionate care that Bob received from the exceptional staff at Louis Brier Home and Hospital, where he lived for the last year and a half. No service at Bob’s request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Union Gospel Mission (donors@UGM.ca).