“Bob’s passion for teaching knew no bounds. Having given over a thousand presentations and been the keynote speaker at dozens of educational conferences across Canada, his mission was clear to all who knew him: to teach and inspire at every opportunity. His colleagues and students alike will remember him for his dedication to spreading knowledge, his love for learning, and his endless curiosity about the world.
Bob’s personal library of hundreds of books is a testament to the kind of person he was. He devoured books on kindness, empathy, emotional intelligence, and effective teaching. He was deeply fascinated by how the brain works and how people learn, and his lifelong pursuit of this knowledge made him a uniquely wise and exceptional educator. Beyond his professional achievements, Bob was a man of great warmth and humour. Those who had the privilege of corresponding with him will recall his wit, his clever sense of humour, and his love of laughter.
He was an avid reader, loved nature, and a skilled photographer, often capturing the beauty of his many cats, dogs, plants, and the natural world around him. Bob had a profound love for animals and gardening and as a man of many talents, he would surprise you with his knowledge of music, theology, dancing the Charleston and having memorized things like all the capital cities of each state. Everything and everyone that crossed his path seemed to shine a little brighter because of his humility, kindness, encouragement and generosity.
Bob traveled across Canada many times, working with colleges, universities, and schools, touching the lives of hundreds of educators and students. His belief in people and his unwavering ability to see the best in everyone were cornerstones of his character. His kindness and boundless spirit have left an indelible mark on all of us who knew him.
Bob passed away peacefully with family by his side. On behalf of the many who were fortunate enough to know him, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary man whose thoughtfulness, and joy for life will remain forever in our hearts. His legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for the same qualities he embodied—kindness, generosity, empathy, a deep love for life, learning and community.
He will be greatly missed, but his memory will forever live on in our hearts and minds.
