Bob died peacefully after a 7-month battle with leukemia on June 4, 2022 in Victoria, BC. Bob faced his cancer battle as he did everything in life, with courage and tenacity and of course, a sense of humor. Bob leaves behind his wife Carolyn of over 55 years. They were each other’s constant companions and best friends. He also leaves behind his daughter Lisa (husband Gord, kids Tanner, Bianca and Juliana), and his son Alex (wife Tracy), who consider themselves so fortunate to have had Bob (or “the Dude” as they have called him) since their teenage years, as their dad. Bob was predeceased by his sisters, Margaret (Peg) Balow and Beverly Truman, and is survived by his kid brother Steve. Despite the 10 and 12 year age differences between Bob and his older sisters, the 11 year gap between Bob and Steve, and the physical distance between Bob in Toronto and the siblings in Detroit, they maintained incredibly close relationships as adults. Many of our family’s happiest memories are those big family holiday gatherings with the Truman/Balow clan.
As anyone who knew Bob will know, he lived a very full life! Born on October 15, 1938, Bob grew up in Detroit as a bit of a (self-admitted) n’er-do-well. As a young adult, he joined the military, serving in US Army Intelligence in Frankfurt, Germany. This experience not only helped mature Bob into the responsible man he became, it also gained him a circle of amazing friends who remained close until his (or in some cases their own) death. Once back state-side, Bob obtained a degree in Urban Planning and began working for the City of Detroit. It was here he met Carolyn, who, despite their first date being a hockey game where Bob bought a “pair” of tickets that were across the aisle from each other, quickly knew that Bob was the one for her. Shortly after Lisa and Alex were born, Bob took a job with the City of Toronto, where Bob and Carolyn raised their family, and where he went on to have a very successful and rewarding career as a self-employed planning consultant. Bob was active in his local amateur sports scene, coaching and playing hockey, playing a mean game of tennis and enjoying a game of golf here and there, especially in his later years. Through all of these stops, Bob has developed close and long-lasting friendships with some of the most wonderful, caring and supportive people one could ever hope to know – another testament to the kind of man he was.
Bob will be remembered for his keen insights into any topic that caught his interest, his passion for Detroit and its sports teams, and for being the kind of person people just enjoyed spending time with. His greatest pleasures were hanging out with good friends and family, listening to music, cooking, watching sports, traveling the world, and just chatting about every subject at hand.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto in the fall, with details to follow.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Meena and Satish Dhar
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Gord De Wolfe Bob was a terrific guy, a great friend, a first rate raconteur, and always fun to be with whether on the golf course, at the pub, the opera house or (once, back in 1993) at Tiger Stadium. Silvia and I have many happy memories of times spent with Bob and Carol in Palm Springs. He will be fondly remembered indeed.
My sympathies to Carol and the rest of Bob’s family.
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Nelson Wong So sad to hear of Bob passing. Way back in 1978 and 1979, I will always remember our great tennis rivalry at the Baby Point Tennis Club, being in the finals twice, and each wining once.
Rest in peace Bob, your tennis buddy,Nelson Wong
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Barry and Judy Hayward We are so saddened to hear of Bob’s illness and death. We have missed seeing Bob in the Baby Point Community since he and Carolyn moved out west. He lived a full life enriched by his many friends gathered over the years.
We extend our condolenses to Carolyn and all the Truman’s and extended family. He will be missed.
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Elizabeth (LIz) Howson Bob was a truly wonderful man – he is missed from the Baby Point Community. It was always a delight to meet him and chat on my walks through the neighbourhood and to see him at the opera as well. My thoughts are with you Carol and your family. Liz
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Angela Macri Bob was a great friend, endlessly generous in spirit and with hugs. What a fascinating and full life! In business, I always admired his casual but en point manner, never mincing words, all of which brought me confidence, smiles and comfort. Rest easy now and we’ll see you on the other side, Bob. Love and prayers to you & your family, Carol.
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Laura Taylor Bob and Carol were our long-time neighbours and friends. Bob and I had lots of great discussions about planning in Toronto, especially about the politics of neighbourhood change (especially in our neighbourhood!). The Victoria Day street party isn’t the same without you! Best wishes from my family to yours xo
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David & Margaret Weinberg We miss Bob, our dear friend of more than 50 years. We miss his encyclopaedic knowledge of such a wide range of subjects that enlivened our discussions. We miss his down-to-earth nature and quick wit that made him easy and fun to be around. We treasured the great discussions with him and Carole after our regular music, movie and theater outings together. His love, appreciation and knowledge of music – he introduced us to Mendelsohn’s “Songs Without Words” and we feel his presence each time we listen to it. His enthusiasm and ability for doing the most challenging New York Times crosswords together with Carole; a great team!
Our hearts go out to Carole, Alex, Lisa and family.
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Eros Fiacconi So sad to hear of Bob’s passing. I first got to meet Bob years ago through our planning profession and mutual acquaintances but I really go to know and interact with him when he brought me in to help with some of his projects. We worked together for several years. He was a wonderful man, knowledgeable and with a great sense of humour. He always spoke so higly of his family and we would share stories of the Detroit/Windsor area (as I attended the University in Windsor). My deepest condolences to Carolyn and family. He will be fondly remembered.
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George Macri Bob was my friend and planner for approximately 42 years. While golfing, I quickly learned never to talk or sneeze while he was about to drive the ball. Instant, dire results would erupt . In planning matters his foresight and Knowledge was amazing . Bob will truly be missed. Prayers for all the family .
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Ken Hare Bob was generous with his time, energy and enthusiasm. After being introduced through a mutual acquaintance Bob invited me out to lunch, we talked about Toronto and land use planning and development, and the next day he unexpectedly offered me my first land use planning position. Over the following decade he continued to show his generosity and talked to all of the planning students I pointed in his direction. I am sincerely grateful for Bob’s warm spirit and the contribution he made to my life. All the best to his Canadian and American family.
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Kathy Kinnear My husband Alan Dean and I worked with Bob at the City of Toronto and, briefly, played bridge with him and Carolyn. He was a lovely person. Although we did drift apart we always exchanged warm hugs whenever our paths crossed.
Our deepest condolences for the loss of this special person.
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Bronwyn Krog Bob Truman was a kind and thoughtful man with a wry sense of humour. He was also a top notch planning consultant who contributed a great deal to his adopted city. Sincere sympathies to his family and friends.
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Linda K Sorensen My deep condolences to you Carol, Lisa , Alex and families. Such a treasure was this man and devotion between you (Carol) and your beloved Bob and always a wondrous delight to be in your presence in Palm Springs and Toronto. Loving hugs to all.
Linda K Sorensen
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John Sewell So sad to learn of Bob’s death.
I was a great fan of Bob as an imaginative and practical planner. As mayor of Toronto in 1979 I championed him to be the chief planner, but sadly the position went to someone else and Toronto lost the significant edge it had on other cities in the way land was planned. Bob of course went on to do significant work for others but I sure wish he could have been in charge in our city.
I regret that I did not get to know you, Carolyn, and the children. He was such a welcoming warm man.
John Sewell
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Kirsten ( Drown) McNamee Sending love to the Truman Family – over the years and over the miles. A very cool man w a great and full life by the sounds of things.
Remembering Swansea Girls Hockey League laughs and Lisa in high school. Much love
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Marianne Ketchen Beautiful story of a beautiful man. Our sincerest condolences on such a grand loss for all. How we remember our many sunny days, poolside in PS with Bob and Carolyn and the fun and laughter they brought with them naturally. Such a caring person who will be greatly missed. Big hugs to the Truman gang, Bob’s pride and joy. Xo
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David Blandford Bob was a tremendous guy. I recall fondly coaching our daughters hockey teams along with Bob. And yes, he reigned as mens tennis champ at The Baby Point Club. He was virtually unbeatable! Best of all though I remember Bob’s easy going nature and affability.
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Adrienne McMullin With a fond farewell to Bob and heartfelt sympathy to Carolyn and family, Love, Adrienne
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Bob Taylor So very sad to hear this news. My condolences Lisa, as your dad was a great man. Back in the days when you were playing hockey while he was coaching brings back some great memories.
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Warren Sorensen For something like 50 years Bob was a valued presence in my life, first as a work colleague when he and Carolyn moved to Toronto, but very quickly as a friend whose generosity and trust could always be counted on. In the early years Bob and Carolyn were a frequent bridge foursome with my late partner and me, and later (a great test of friendship) we sometimes travelled together. But the very best evidence that Bob was a prince of a guy was the radiant smile that seldom left Carolyn’s face. My deepest condolences to Carolyn, Lisa, Alex and family.
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Pat and Dick Shed many tears reading this wonderful tribute to Bob,one of the best. We spent many great holidays together as a family from when our kids were young and they loved him too.
Our loving condolences to all of you.
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Reay Jespersen Bob was a wonderful guy, the dad to my best friend who became a good friend in his own right.
He will be missed.
My sympathies to the family.
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Dan M Love the first date memory! Big hugs to everyone!
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AnnaMarie Farrow Bob was a very special person.
We always enjoyed their visits to the family farm near Kirkfield where we could catch up with our American cousins!
Later in life, we would visit with he and Carol and feel that no time had passed. Bob and Carol always made a pont of visiting my Mom Isobel in her older years and she so appreciated it. He will be missed.
Anna Marie Farrow (Truman)
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Harriet and Mark Tetley A Beautiful description of a life well lived. We are honored to have shared so many great times with Bob and Carolyn. Our Thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Bob and I worked together almost 50 years ago. He was my manager in the City of Toronto Planning department. We were a great team and he was our leader. Even after Bob left the City and I moved to other jobs, we remained friends. We met Bob and Carole as often as possible at each others’ homes or at our favourite restaurants. Our discussions were always lively and sometimes animated on the subject of urban planning.
Our great regret is that although we were in Victoria this May, we were unable to meet Bob and Carole due to the fear that we may have been exposed to COVID.
Bob was a truly compassionate and caring friend. We will miss you Bob.
Meena and Satish Dhar