“Robert Elwood Betts “Bob” was born July 9, 1938, in Chilliwack BC to Gervais and Dorothy Betts. Bob was the older brother to Dawna and Karen. When he was three his family settled on Reed Island in the Georgia Straight– a idyllic place for a boy to grow. He attended Laurelwood Adventist Academy in Oregon and graduated in the class of 1958.
He headed to Walla Walla College where he met Sandra Henton. They were married in Toppenish, Washington on September 9, 1961. Infectious mononucleosis paused college that winter and the couple went to live with Bob’s parents in Campbell River to recover. He did recover in time to settle in Puyallup for the summer, ready to welcome Tresa “Teri” to their family in September. When their baby girl was six weeks old, they joined the GMG Logging in Smith’s Inset, where he worked falling old growth timber, some trees with bases 12 x 14ft. Many Pseudo Suga menziesii, Latin for Douglas fir (my father-in-law taught me that) Sandy was a true pioneer woman, sharing a remote and rugged float camp with a newborn and seven families.
Bob was a storyteller. His blog The Ramblings of a Gypologger’s Son, richly describes a live well lived.
By September 1963, the young family was back in Walla Walla, and Bob in school. Son Bobby was born in 1964.
Bob valued education and kept at it. Between work hiatus to save money for tuition, between mouths to feed, he persevered and graduated in 1967 with a degree in biology with a minor of chemistry.
The family returned to Canada, this time for good, and settled in a quaint community of Sidney in November 1967. Daughter Mandy completed the ensemble in 1969.
Bob worked for the Pacific Forest Research Center for 30 1/2 years. In the winter he was inside the lab analyzing data. His favorite was the summer work. He would spend outside in the forests throughout central British Columbia studying trees, bark, disease, bugs, and beetle’s migration. Although he didn’t like being away from his family, the forest was his second home, among the trees, in the company in the magnificent creations of God.
As a family, the Betts enjoyed camping on Vancouver Island…. and they camped a lot. Hornby Island, Camp Pringle, Camp Meeting, and the famous bicentennial 1976 trip to Yellowstone. They enjoyed camping and fellowship of close families from church.
At age 60, Bob retired so he could focus on family, traveling, and cultivating his many hobbies.
Bob and Sandy had a travel routine each year, spending months with their children; Mandy up North, Bobby in Walla Walla, in Arizona with Teri’ family, attending Camp Meeting in Prescott, volunteering at Arizona Sonshine, free medical and dental clinic. These visits were treasured, especially by their eight grandchildren. All were very proud and a bit envious that their grandpa’s tech savviness and gadgetry expertise left them in the dust.
In October 2019, with Teri & Teddy, they traveled to Switzerland. Bob enjoyed riding the trains, seeing the countryside, admiring the skill of Swiss woodworkers.
Bob had a lifelong interest in education; serving on school boards, helped build school on Bowerbank, the Lakeview Christian School, and taught woodworking for many years.
Bob was a man of great faith. His greatest desire was to have all his family and friends in Heaven with him.
He contributed so much to his places of worship. He served on church boards for over 50 years and served as head elder at times. Taught junior Sabbath School, and youth for many years. He helped renovate the church on Rest Have Drive.
He was instrumental in the planning for Rest Haven Church, where you sit today. He helped clear the land, build the structure, custom build many cupboards, and the Welcome Center. In fact, you can’t look around and not see the superb quality craftmanship and the gifts of Bob Betts
I asked his children and grandchildren if they could describe their patriarch in one word what might it be.
Son Bobby, Genuine, never had to wonder what he was thinking – tell you straight up. Forthright and honest. His word was impeccable.
Grandson Spencerdebencer (Grandpa’s nickname) – Generous, selfless of his time and talent, he treated people with kindness, humility, and grace.
Handyman – Daughter Teri, I would have my list when he arrived to visit. There wasn’t anything he could custom build. From churches, schools, cribs, benches, desks, furnishings, all made with love.
Granddaughter Megan recalls at age two or three the knock knock jokes commenced. We drove everyone nuts because they never made sense. Grandpa didn’t care. We’d laugh and laugh.
Chloe also mentioned her childhood memories of his unique and hearty laugh. Can’t you hear his laughter now?
Mary Bella, my grandpa was curious. He knew something about everything. Sometimes those explanations took us down a rabbit hole, but he had the heart of a teacher, wanting to share his vast knowledge with others.
Daughter Mandy – Perseverance, not a problem he couldn’t solve. Nothing he couldn’t build. No scripture he couldn’t recite to sooth our souls.
David – he was a perfectionist. Paul – his charisma using “pertnear”, Ben- Grandpa was loud, Douglass – so, so knowledge.
He was laid to rest in a forest, had a green burial that he would have loved. He’s resting in Jesus in a simple pine box, crafted in his birthplace of Chilliwack. No doubt it would have received Bob Betts seal of approval.
And today, on our Sabbath, we gather to honor an extraordinary man – a pillar of his church, his community, his family, a devoted partner by Sandy’s side, a marital union just shy of 60 years.
Martin Luther King, Jr. once asked, “How will I be remembered by my children? This is the true measure of a man.”
Having the privilege to be part of the Betts clan for 23 years, knowing Bob’s three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, it’s clear that the measure of this man, the legacy of love that he has left is greater than the 318 billion trees in Canada.
Family*Faith*Forest*Forever
In peace and rest, with deep and abiding love, until we meet again.”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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John & Judy McCarthy
Dear Sandy, We are so sorry for your loss.
We met Bob in 2006. He was one of the first people that we got to know in the Rest Haven church. He was always helpful and kind to us. We enjoyed our conversations with him. We are truly shocked and saddened by his passing. Please accept our condolences. May God Bless you and wrap his loving arms around you.
Your brother and sister in Christ.
John & Judy McCarthy
The traveling salesman in the motorhome.