In Memoriam

Robert (Bob) Charles Watters, BASc’52, MF’80

Bob WattersRobert Charles Watters passed away on October 19, 2013, in Nanaimo at the age of 90. He started his career as an engineer when he joined the Canadian Armed Forces, Calgary Regiment, in 1942. He trained as a gunner operator with the Calgary Tank Corps, attended McGill University as part of his army training, and landed in Holland at the end of the World War II as a sergeant in the occupational army until he was discharged in 1946.

While at UBC, he met Rose Piggott at the Fort Camp cafeteria and married her in Vancouver in 1954. They had three children together – Frances, Bruce and Lorea – and were blessed with four grandchildren. Bob was both a certified Professional Forester and a certified Professional Engineer. Among other things, he taught forestry and construction technology at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George (and was a founding member of the program) from 1972‑85. Bob “retired” from the college to run the Nanaimo Foundry and Engineering Works from 1985‑95.

Retired was never a word that applied to Bob – he was always working on something. He enjoyed travelling, the outdoors, restoring Model T cars and playing bridge. His family and his community were his passions. It’s no surprise that his favourite saying was “I feel like a million bucks.” Donations may be made to the Robert C. Watters Forestry Award, care of the UBC Faculty of Forestry.