Bob passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Victoria on January 11, 2021. Born in Pembroke, Wales, his family moved back to Canada when he was very young. Bob was raised in Kingston and educated at Queen’s University, where he graduated in 1968 to teach high school mathematics in Oshawa and Ottawa. Bob met his wife Ruth (Simonton) playing badminton in Ottawa where he said he was looking for a mixed-doubles partner. Well, he found one, and the partnership lasted more than 50 years! They married in 1974 and shortly thereafter, influenced by Ruth’s father, Bob changed careers and became a chartered accountant. He had his own practice on the outskirts of Ottawa. In 1991 Bob and Ruth moved from Ottawa to Victoria, where Bob took on a new business venture as the owner of Green Acres Par 3 Golf Course and Driving Range.
Bob is predeceased by his parents Rodger and Helen (née Callingham). He is survived by his wife Ruth, his brother John (Helen), (Cobourg, ON), nieces Maggie and Jaclyn and nephew James. He will also be deeply missed by Ruth’s family in Toronto, brother John (Susan) and sister Jean (Richard) and their children – nieces Brett, Ashleigh, Kate and nephews Bill, Tom, Reid, Jeremy, Colin.
Bob always had a great love of sports; basketball in his youth; badminton for many years (both recreational and competitive); and more recently golf. On arriving in Victoria, the badminton community became his first friendships and have continued over 30 years. In 1996 he and Ruth joined Royal Colwood Golf Club where again he made many wonderful friends. He enjoyed his time at the club both on and off the course, especially the social events. He was also keenly interested in tennis both playing and watching tournaments. This led to travels to the grand slam tournaments and other major events. Bob never claimed to be a world traveller, however, he and Ruth enjoyed trips to Europe, Mexico and the Panama Canal. He preferred to enjoy Ruth’s travels vicariously from the vantage point of his comfortable couch, watching The Weather Network.
Bob will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humour, some of which he displayed in his annual poems and commemorations of milestone birthdays. Bob’s warm and quick wit and his unfailing optimism will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a future date.
Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Broadmead Care Society at www.broadmeadcare.com.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Edelgard
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lorna guttormson Rich and Lorna Guttormson
We are very sorry, Ruth, to hear of the loss of Bob, a good friend from many years back. I, Lorna, remember Bob at the old Commerce Badminton club. He would arrange games and ensure everyone – of any ability – enjoyed the game and had a challenge carefully placing the shuttle just barely within reach. Later years, Ann and I would enjoy a game of golf with him on our St. Batiste holiday and then get back to your place for a beer and a foot cleaning by the bulldog with a foot fettish. Bob did complain some that the golf course didn’t purchase enough property, therefore his ball wasn’t really out of bounds:) Good memories.
Hugs
Lorna and Rich
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Wilfrid Côté Hi Ruth,
We learned that Bob had passed away earlier this month, Solanges and I wish to offer our sincere condolences following your loss. I knew when I play badminton against Bob in singles at the RA Centre in the 90’s, I was in for a tough match.
Best regards,
Wil
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Sybil and Vincent We are so sorry for your loss Ruth, Didn’t golf much but you were both such a figure every Sunday…
Our condolences.
Hugs
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Maxine Charlesworth Dear Ruth,
I read in the paper this weekend that your husband, Bob, has died. What a great loss it is for you and the many other friends and family who had the good fortune to know him. He sounds as if he was always positively involved in life and took pleasure from it in an active way. You obviously had a wonderful partner. Your marriage sounds like a long, active and happy friendship which, of course, should be the basis of signing the original contract in front of judge or minister years ago. Knowing you, Ruth, from long ago, I am certain that you will have the support of a legion of friends, as well as family, to help you through your sorrow as well as many good memories of having shared these times with such a terrific fellow at your side. May they be a comfort to you.
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Pat Andrews Ruth, Rick & I were very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely Pat & Rick Andrews.
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Bob Howell Ruth, Marlene and I pass our heartfelt condolences. Our times on the course and at Gourmet Dinners with you and Bob were always special. We particularly enjoyed Bob’s dry sense of humour and his wit. We will miss him very much.
Bob & Marlene Howell
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Damaris and Peter Brix We were so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was legendary in the badminton community for his prowess on the court. Our thoughts are with you Ruth.
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Ken & Bonnie Putt It is with great sadness, Ruth, that we read of Bob’s untimely passing in this morning’s Victoria Times Colonist. We enjoyed many wonderful couples’ golf games with the two of you at Royal Colwood Golf Club over what now seems like a long time ago. We were always delighted with Bob’s unfailing good humour and self-effacing wisecracks throughout and over libations that followed.
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Hugs,
Ken & Bonnie
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Margaret and Bill Chudyk Bob will be missed by so many. We have fond memories of his smile, his humour and his stories, his badminton prowess and his generosity to the badminton group at the annual Green Acres event. I feel honoured to have received one of his legendary poems on my 50th birthday! I imagine you have many wonderful memories to cherish. Our sympathy and love to you, Ruth.
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Mac and Barb Jewett Barb and I have very touching memories of our many, many good times with Bob and Ruth. We enjoyed our trips to Victoria and their returns to Ottawa. Over the years during their residence in Ottawa we played a lot of badminton and tennis together, and had fun trips all over, amongst them to the US Open and to Portugal. RA Badminton parties and dinners with many mutual friends were also enjoyable and have left us with great memories of our times with this marvelous couple. Bob was a very unique person and will remain in our memories.
Mac and Barb Jewett
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Don and Laurie Woodland Dear Ruth
We were so sorry to hear about Bob’s sudden passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
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John Read Ruth I type this note with tears on my keyboard, I am so sad about the passing of such a wonderful man. Not sure if you remember our first meeting, I was looking at joining a golf club in Victoria and met with then GM Philip Nurse and said I would need to play the course before joining. He set me up to play with you and Bob. I had so much fun with you two I joined the next day! When my lovely wife Ursula passed away in 2012 you two were so good to me offering support. When I see you next at Royal Colwood I hope we can have a nice long hug.
John Read
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Margaret Kavanagh Dear Ruth
I am truly sorry for the sudden loss of your sole mate. While I did not know him well I enjoyed all of our encounters at Royal Colwood. Take care my friend I know you will live on as you always have with Bob at your side in spirit.
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Carl Cavanagh Ruth — Arlene and I have the loveliest memories of you and Bob all these many years ago when you were newly arrived to Victoria from Stats Canada. Our sincere condolences.
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Maggie & Frank Carr Frank & I have such great memories playing badminton together at the RA in Ottawa. We moved away in 1976 but always kept in touch with annual letters at Christmas. In later years when we ended up in Calgary & then Sherwood Park we made occasional visits to you with a game or two at Metchosin. I recall fondly your 2 lovely bulldogs!! Finally, our paths made it to Parksville in 2015 but life takes its turns & we only managed one trip to visit you there. Still, we continued the friendship in annual Christmas updates & Bob’s clever poems! We are saddened to read of Bob’s sudden passing which I learned this morning from my brother, Roy & Linda Leslie, Victoria, whom you met years ago. They wish to be remembered. Our sincere condolences, Ruth! Our memories of times together are vivid & full of laughter. Bob will be missed. Please stay in touch.
Frank & Maggie Carr
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Deb and Peter Jennings Deb and I send our heartfelt condolences on this untimely loss of such a great character. We will both miss his cheery hellos and warm smile. Keep swinging that club Ruth, Bob will always be playing alongside.
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Maureen and Kathleen MacDonald We will always have fond memories of Bob and his humour and his annual poems. He will be remembered every time we open “The Cook Book”. Our sympathy and love to you, Ruth.
Maureen and Kathleen MacDonald
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Judy Calllingham and Grant Hopkins We always looked forward to Bob’s Christmas poem. He had a great sense of humour. Ruth we are so sorry for your lossLove & big hugs
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Adrienne Stevenson & Jim Nuyens We will remember Bob’s humour with great fondness, Ruth. Our love and sympathy to you.
Dear Ruth. Dismayed to hear of Bob’s passing. So sorry you have lost your life partner. The obituary notice was very nice. Sounds like he had a wonderful life. I will always remember him when he owned the little golf course. Hope you are keeping well.
Edelgard and Emil