Bob passed away peacefully at home in the afternoon on November 23, 2020. Bob was born August 6, 1936 in Toronto. His parents George William Hunt and Anna Curry (McKay) Hunt moved the family to Victoria in the late 1940’s. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years Marlene Ellen Hunt and is survived by his sister Dorothy, son Steven (Trish), daughter Susan (Paul), and grandchildren Brendan, Evan, Ashley (Taylor), and Heather (Grant)), Stephanie (pre-deceased) as well as nieces and nephews.
Bob was a gifted amateur athlete and played baseball, hockey, golf and racquet sports in his youth. He was a member of Uplands Golf Club for 70 years, winning his first club junior championship in 1951, was a six-time Club Champion, one time Senior Club Champion, winner of the Victoria City Amateur in 1972, and runner up in the Island Open in 1974. In retirement he continued achieving Uplands Club records, including 487 rounds with a score equal to or lower than his age.
He was one of BC’s finest badminton players in the 1960’s and 70’s. He won the Victoria City singles championships 13 times and the City doubles championship 15 times with Ed Hedley. His wife Marlene shared his talent in badminton, and they captured the City mixed doubles championship together in 1969.
With his teaching pals he took up competitive croquet in the years the World Championship was held in Parksville, BC from 1977-1980 winning three titles.
Bob was passionate about his hobbies, which included salmon fishing and fossil hunting. He amassed a huge collection of ammonites and related fossils, which he meticulously chipped by hand to expose the original shells. He eventually co-wrote a scientific paper on ammonites and later donated most of his collection to the Courtney & District Museum.
Armed with a degree in Zoology and an M.A. from UVic, Bob had a distinguished 5-decade career as an educator including biology teacher and counsellor at Oak Bay and Lambrick High Schools, and as a supervisor of student teachers at UVic. Bob’s passion for teaching, humour and talent with multi-coloured chalk illustrations inspired many students to later enter careers in medical and teaching professions. It was a joy for Bob to run into his students in later years.
Bob touched many people and was a unique person. His family thanks his many friends and the kind people at local businesses that he visited daily in the last years of his life, along with Dr. Charlie Lamb and the staff at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, the Jubilee Hospital Foot Clinic, and the Home Care Nurses of Island Health.
Owing to the current restrictions on gathering, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Condolences to the family may be offered below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Daphne Goode
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duncan conrad So sad to hear of Bob’s passing. I was so fortunate to have Mr. Hunt for my Biology teacher, the only class I never missed. But I was also an aspiring junior golfer at Victoria Golf Club. I was given the opportunity to play in a few Mens matches, and, yes, played against My teacher! Never forgotten it, Never will. Sincerest Condolences.. Duncan Conrad
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Lana Lin My sincere condolences to Mr. Hunt’s family and friends. Mr. Hunt’s warmth, kindness, and brilliance in his chosen subject matters made him an inspiring teacher and trusted counsellor. I remember choosing to take his Biology 11 and 12 classes even when I had no intention of going into sciences after high school. He was just too good of a teacher to pass up. Who can forget his one liners and chalkboard art diagrams during class. He wrote a message in my grad annual that said “… don’t forget your old Bi teacher”. There is no chance of that! Mr. Hunt’s students have been blessed by him and he will be missed greatly.
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Bill Smith I was very fortunate to have spent half of my teaching career working with this incredible teacher and friend at Lambrick Park. Bob was highly respected and loved by his students. He ran lunch hour Biology reviews to help his students with their provinicial exams. He always found time to help students with academics, scholarships, or post secondary education. He apparently taught my wife Biology 11 at Oak Bay. I cannot imagine the impact he has had on thousands of students. Someone I will never forget, thanks for being part of my life, RIP Bob!!
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Russ Reynolds What a great person Bob was. A caring teacher and all around special guy. Kind of person that only brings about positive and pleasant thoughts. Those that were close to him were lucky and fortunate. All the best and RIP Mr. Hunt.
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Lana Miller I was so sad to hear of the passing of one of my favorite teachers. Mr. Hunt was my biology teacher at Lambrick Park in the late 80’s. His passion rubbed off on many of us and he is one of the reasons I went into the field of biology myself. I think of him often and remember his humor and creative teaching methods. I remember him teaching us latin root words to help us remember scientific names. I recall his classroom ‘plays’ where we acted out salt and water and semi-permeable membranes between the classroom and the hallway. I will never forget his elaborate colored chalk drawings. Most of all, I remember what a kind and caring person he was. He always had time for students. He is greatly missed, but lives on in our memories.
Lana Miller
Lambrick Park grad, 1990
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Lisa Nakamura My deepest sympathies to the Hunt family. Bob was an amazing educator and human, who made so many lives better. I feel so lucky that he was a teacher and counsellor at Lambrick during my time there.
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John and Marilyn Bate Dear Sue and all Your family.
We are very sad to learn of your Dad’s passing.
Thankfully the precious memories we have live on forever.
Our Sincere Sympathy to you and all the Family.
John and Marilyn Bate
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Colleen Cahoon Mr. Hunt was one of those teachers that had such a profound impact on his students that he is remembered long after high school graduation. I had the pleasure and honour to have him as my teacher at Lambrick. I will never forget his caring way and his humor. I am so sorry for you loss.
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Andrew Draper So sorry to hear of Mr. Hunts passing. He was my biology teacher at Lambrick Park and made an impact on me as a learner and a person. His energy and excitement was palpable every time you walked into the classroom. Something I respect even more as an adult. The memory of the coloured chalk brought back images of trying to copy his drawing from the blackboard and never quite getting it right. He was a wonderful person and I hope your sorrow can somewhat be swallowed up in the memories he has left you each with.
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Vikki Marrs He was a great biology teacher and had a great sense of humour and way of teaching. He made a difference for so many.
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Sheila Schmidt I had Mr. Hunt for a biology teacher at Oak Bay High in the early 70’s. He inspired a lifetime appreciation for nature, animals and the beauty around us. I still remember one class on bees in which he got an unexcited, bored class to come alive by the sheer force of his enthusiasm! He was the best teacher I had.
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Jodi Donaldson Thinking of you at this difficult time. My uncle Mac and Mr.Hunt were lifelong friends. When I went to Lambrick Park in the middle of grade 8 I was reintroduced to Mr.Hunt. He was by far the best teacher and counsellor I’ve ever known and shaped not only my life but when it came time to choose a teacher to speak at grad it was no choice we all voted for him. Without Mr.Hunt I would not have graduated high school let alone post secondary and have the career in healthcare I do today. He was an amazing man.
Jodi Donaldson nee Rundle class of 89!
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judy olorenshaw So very sad to hear of his passing.He was an amazing man.He helped me and my son get through a tough time.Best councillor ever.He will be sadly missed by all he ever touched.
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Bob and Gail Fowles Steve,Trish,Paul and Sue,
Your Dad was a special person ,a friend and a Great Golfer .Steve I remember golfing with you,Bob,and Pete,your Dad asked what type of ball I was playing,I said Top Flight and he replied with discuss that it was like hitting a Rock.
Bob will be missed . Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Families.
Love Bob and Gail Fowles.
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Cathy McCall Mr Hunt will always be remembered as one of my favorite teachers at Lambrick. I remember hours hanging out on the couches outside of his office and the many biology classes. Such a large heart for all of his students.
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Neil Coutts So sorry to read in the paper today of the passing of Bob. Such a talented elegant man. Our years teaching together at Lambrick was so enjoyable. He was alway there for kids and staff. My best wishes to the family
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Anne Pringle Heartfelt condolences to Steve and the entire family. Mr Hunt was truly one of the greats. Excellent teacher and genuinely one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. He inspired my keen interest in human biology which was so valuable in my career as a nurse. He made learning fun with his enthusiasm and humour. RIP Mr Hunt.
Anne Pringle
OBSS grad, 1976
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Monika MacNeill Steve, after reading your dad’s obituary I learnt that your dad was an amazing person with many interests and lots of energy! What a life he had! Steve and Trish, Jack and I send our love during this time of loss; I’m sure it’s not easy. xoxoxo
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michael sharp Hi Steve and Trish – so sorry to hear of the passing of your father Steve. Always a difficult moment no matter what the circumstances. Reading this obituary, it is obvious he lead a long and rewarding life. His athletic accomplishments were impressive.
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Andrea Robertson Much love to the Hunt family at this difficult time. It’s so hard to lose our parents. Someone that has always been there in our lives, someone to look to for advice, accept us for who we are, love us unconditionally. Because we are their children. And as a grandchild, to get away with everything! Keep your memories close and in your hearts forever and he will be with you always.
To the family of Bernie Hunt…my sincere condolences. I was so fortunate to have Mr. Hunt as my biology teacher at Oak Bay High. I really did not enjoy science at all, but Mr. Hunt transformed the subject for me, and made each class absolutely fascinating! Years after graduation (maybe 25 years later), I ran into him at Lambrick Park, as I had been invited as a presenter at Career Day. It was absolutely fantastic to have a chance to tell him how he had totally changed my mind about science because of his excellent teaching! I could tell it meant the world to him. He was gifted! I will always remember his encouragement and kindness. I have fond memories indeed and hope his family and friends will be comforted also at this sad time, by happy memories.