Robert “Bob” Aitken passed away peacefully on August 13, 2019 surrounded by his children and their spouses. He played many roles during his life: son, father, grandfather, husband, educator, outdoorsman, animal lover, poet and friend. He believed that a person’s most important responsibility was to family and friends and he worked throughout his life to put that thought into action.
Bob was born in 1934 in Vancouver, the only child of Robert and May Aitken. The family ran a store in Chase, BC for most of the depression and moved several times during the war years before eventually settling on Mayne Island in 1944. Bob’s life on the family homestead, “Glen Echo,” was always his most prized time. He enjoyed the farm work, raising tomatoes and tending the sheep and chickens but his true love was exploring the forests, hills and valley that surrounded him. He attended high school on Saltspring, where he graduated in 1952. He was active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of King’s Scout, which earned him a trip to a national jamboree in Ontario.
He then moved to Vancouver to attend UBC where he met his lifelong friend, Eric Foster, and later his future bride, Mary. During the summers and other time off, Bob was able to further his love for the outdoors while working as a timber cruiser on the west coast of Vancouver Island and as a deckhand on a fish boat. He graduated from UBC with a BA in English and a high school teaching credential. Bob and Mary were married in 1959 and moved to Dawson Creek where Bob taught English. They moved back to the lower mainland a few years later and settled in Richmond where they raised their two children, Rob and Regan. Bob taught English at Alpha Secondary in Burnaby where he rose to head the English department while also earning a Master’s degree at SFU. In 1976, Bob was offered a position at the Ministry of Education and the family moved to Victoria. Bob served in a variety of roles at the ministry and then moved on to work as a senior administrator with the Greater Victoria School District Board Office where he retired in 1994. Bob co-wrote “Making Schools Smarter,” bringing his passion for improving school curriculum to others in Canada and the US.
Bob had an adventurous spirit and took on many hobbies through his life. He was an accomplished woodworker, using those skills to build his family’s summer cabin on Mayne Island where he also shared his love of nature with his children. His hobbies were many though not all made it to the fixed hobby list — some highlights include snorkeling, motorcycling, bonsai and travel. Travel could be as exotic as with he and Mary being the first Canadians to visit Kamchatka, Russia, or simple, like their many trips to Moclips on the Olympic Peninsula. While Bob loved the adventures, there was perhaps nothing more “Bob” than to be sitting back in his recliner with a cat on his lap and a book in his hand. Bob was extremely widely read, with a personal library of hundreds of volumes. He had a quick wit and his vocabulary was legendary. Bob’s mischievous side kept those around him laughing. Even in retirement, he worked hard at keeping up his physical strength, especially his “super grip” handshake. After Bob and Mary divorced, he moved to Cobble Hill. Here Bob created a beautiful home where he spent many years enjoying the company of his family, tending to his home and garden and taking time for his relationship with Jeanne O’Neill. In 2018, Bob moved to a memory care facility where he continued to make people laugh and established himself quickly as a favourite among the caring staff.
Bob is survived by his children, Regan Hansen (David Galbraith) and Rob Aitken (Denise), along with grandchildren, RJ (Amy) and Colin Aitken, Victoria Gervacio (Frank), Alexandra and Kieran Hansen, and Alex and Matt Galbraith, as well as great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Aiden and Camille Gervacio.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Bob at 2:00pm on Friday, September 27, 2019 in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens in Royal Oak, 4665 Falaise Drive.
Donations in his honour may be made to the Alzheimer Society.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Joey Bellamy
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Annie Harrison My very deep condolences to the family. Bob was very much part of my family’s life for 82 years, as were my parents. We had many special times on Mayne Island. I too spent many times with Bob and Mary. My daughter Kim and friends did a bike trip around the Gulf Islands 45 years ago and Bob Sr. entertained the girls with stories in the evenings. I have a picture of Bob at 4, my brother at 3, and me at 2 years. Cousin Bob meant a great deal to all of us. Laughter was a big part of our times together. He will be missed.
Love Ann
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Linda (nee Lucas) and Sandy Schurman We are so sorry to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague in School District #61, and my wonderful former teacher at Alpha Secondary School, Bob Aitken. I had been thinking of Bob this week as I wrote about my father, Alex Lucas, being principal of Alpha Secondary School in the early days of Bob’s career there. Oh, the stories they both could tell! Sandy and I visited Bob at his home in Cobble Hill, being regaled by such stories. Bob and I kept in touch by email when something came up that we thought might be of interest, or just to inquire how each other was doing. Our sincere condolences to Jeanne and all the family and close friends. Bob will be missed by so many. We will not be in Victoria at the time of the celebration of life but will raise a glass on the 27th when in Dubrovnik.
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Mike Sharlow So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Bob and I worked together for many years with The Victoria School District. He was always glad to see you (with that firm handshake) and chat about things that didn’t always have to relate to the job. Bob was a great organizer and through the many projects that he always seemed to chair, he contributed greatly to the educational programming in Victoria. He was appreciated for always being able to lighten the perspective at our meetings. In the old days, Bob had been a teacher at Alpha in Burnaby, my old junior secondary, and he taught my younger brother. Our thoughts go out to his family and love and good thoughts to Jeannie with whom I also enjoyed working with for many great years. Another Victoria Educational Icon has left and will be missed. Sincerely, Mike and Sandy Sharlow
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Barron My deepest condolences and heart goes out to all. Mr. Bob Aitken was and always will be a legend in our family, God Bless, Sincerest Barron
My sincere condolences for your loss. Bob was definitely a character and had a lovely sense of humour. He was also a very sensitive man. I recall some very touching stories around the dinner table one Christmas which brought tears to my eyes. My thoughts are with you at this very sad time.
With love, Joey