Bob died peacefully at Hospice House on February 5, 2012. Bob was born in Nelson, BC, and moved with his family to Rossland, where he completed high school. He graduated from UBC in electrical engineering, holding positions in Regina, Cleveland, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. For part of his 26-year career with Macmillan Bloedel, he was manager of Systems Engineering. He retired in 1991.

Bob was a pioneer in computer process-control, winning numerous honours and awards. He was elected a Fellow of the North American Technical Association of Pulp and Paper and the Instrument Society of America. In 1986, he was honoured by the Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory and The Swedish Association of Pulp and Paper Engineers for meritorious innovations in pulp and paper production.

Quite by accident in 1993 he became devoted to the chaotic splendour of watercolour painting. He studied with the Federation of Canadian Artists, completing several years of instruction and became an accomplished artist.

In 2004 Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and, in his usual way, lived his life to the fullest and with courage. So many people helped him throughout this journey. Special thanks to: Dr. Margaret Jacobson, Dr. William Lombardi, Dr. Jonathan Lohy, the staff of the Alzheimer’s Society of Washington, the amazing angels who staff the Peace Health Adult Day Health Center, and the caring staff of Bellingham Health Care and Hospice House.

Bob is survived by his wife, Eleanore, his three children, Caryl, Laura (Ray) Horton, and Douglas, his brother, Don (Mazel), brother-in-law Sid Parsons, sister-in-law Susanne Zike,
two nephews Chris (Wendy) and Doug, niece Cathy (Paul), eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.