Rob passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 23, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Rob is survived by his wife Marlene; his sons Patrick (Anna Kakos) and Cameron (Theresa); and his grandchildren, Cormac “Mac,” Samuel “Sam,” Lila and Finnian “Finn.” He was predeceased by his father Bob and his mother Daisy.
Rob was born in Powell River on February 20, 1940. He passed his childhood happily growing up in the Townsite. He shared many enviable boyhood stories of fishing off log booms, climbing anchor chains to play on the Hulks, and fun with friends at Eagle River.
After high school Rob attended the University of British Columbia, where he received a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering. He put himself through UBC while working at the Powell River mill during summer breaks. It was while at UBC that Rob met his wife Marlene. They married in 1965. Rob and Marlene lived in Duncan, then Kamloops and finally settled in the Seattle area. Together they raised two sons, enjoyed days of skiing and travelled all over the world.
Rob had a long engineering career, including over 30 years with Weyerhaeuser Company. He worked on projects all over the United States and Canada.
Rob always had time for his family. His trademark kindness and patience were evident as he taught his boys to ski, ice skate, sail, and he captained marathon family road trips. Always up for a project, he dove in and helped both his sons with extensive construction projects on their homes. These qualities only increased when he became a grandfather, gladly playing a huge part in the lives of his four beloved grandchildren.
Rob was blessed with a large group of extended family and friends in both the US and Canada. Together with Marlene they went out of their way to visit family and friends, keeping these cherished relationships going.
Although Rob lived in Seattle, he would return to Powell River several times a year because it was home. He loved having coffee in the morning or a beer in the afternoon with friends and family while sitting on the deck looking out at the water from the family cabin near Lang Bay. His cheerfulness, kindness and curiosity will be missed by all who loved him, but never be forgotten.
Celebrations of Rob’s life will be held later in the spring and summer.
