LCOL Robert E. Clark, (Bob) passed away peacefully at his home in Sooke, BC at the age of 80. Bob was born in Sarnia, Ontario.
Bob is survived by and will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 57 years, Edelgard (Gardy). He will also be dearly missed by his son James (Jimmy) and daughter-in-law Jolene, his daughter Brenda and son-in-law Stewart, his daughter Tracy, his grandchildren Katelyn, Hillary, Braeden and Sean, and his feline side-kick Kerli. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister Susan Dickieson and her husband Daryl, his brother Peter Ward and his wife Ruth, his brother Fred Ward, and his sister-in-law Donna (wife of his predeceased brother Don), as well as his many nieces and nephews in Canada and Germany.
In 1951, Bob enlisted in the Canadian Forces as a career infantry soldier with the Royal Canadian Regiment, sailing almost immediately for duty in Korea. In 1955, he married Gardy while stationed in Germany. The family enjoyed their European and cross-Canada postings and made the most of opportunities to learn about and enjoy different cultures.
Bob and Gardy settled in Sooke in 1980, and Bob served his last few years of military service as Commanding Officer of the Vernon Army Cadet Camp.
Upon retirement after 37 years of distinguished military service, “the Colonel” pursued his passion for politics, serving the community of Sooke and the Capital Regional District as Regional Director for two terms.
Ever active, even in retirement, Bob continued to work tirelessly, productively and wholeheartedly within the community. With his Scottish heritage and his love of march music, one of Bob’s last proudest achievements was the establishment of Sooke’s own marching band, the Sooke Pipes and Drums.
Well-known for his hearty laugh, Bob was a generous, straightforward and warm-hearted soul who was loved and appreciated by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Sooke Royal Canadian Legion 54, 6726 Eustace Road, Sooke, BC
on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 2:00 pm.
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Bonnie Sprinkling
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Ian + Earl Gidney Gardy, Brenda, Tracy and Jimmy our hearts go out to you all. We
have lost a hell of a guy.Lot’s of great memories dating back to Soest, Germany,1968.The Gidney’s
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Terry & Carol McGinty Dear Brenda and family,
We were very saddened to read about your Dad. He was a true leader in the community and his presence will be missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
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Marj and Sam Meckbach Both Sam and I were so sorry to hear your news. With Sam in similar circumstances we can well imagine how difficult these times are. He was a great man and a good friend to Sam. He will be missed!!
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Margot and Patrick Swinburnson Our sincere condolences to your family in this time of loss. Bob was such a vitalising and organising force within our community! During his tenure as Regional Director he oversaw (or directed) many positive changes. Many were not recognised at the time for their lasting benefit. We can thank him for enduring legacies such as the purchase of the waterfront at Otter Point, or the restoration of Whiffen Spit. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
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Patricia E. Ankenman Dear Gardy: Our sympathy goes out to you and the family. We have fond memories of time spent with you and Bob during our days in Sooke
Sincerely,
Doug and Pat Ankenman
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Linda and Bob Anderson Conservative Breaky will no longer be the same.
My favorite quote: “What no croissants!!!”
Our thought and prayers are with you and your family.
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George & Elaine Holmes Gardy, Brenda, Tracy and Jimmy our hearts go out to you all. We
have lost a unique man. Bob enjoyed his military side as in promoting the Legion’s Consecration of Colours and was equally at home in his straw hat at Brenda + Stew’s garden parties. His service to his community set the bar high. We will miss him.George & Elaine
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DAVE & ELINOR McCLIMON Dear Gardy, Brenda, Tracy, Jimmy & Families:
Our sincere condolences to all of you. Bob was a good and decent man. The time and effort he put in to help our community over these many years are both noteworthy and appreciated. This guy will be missed.
Dave & Elinor
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Susan Brice Always the gentleman with a great sense of humor, Bob was one of a kind. Warm wishes to Gardy and family.
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Jean Howell Knowing Bob through the Friday morning breakfasts of the Conservative Party of Canada has been n privilege. His excellent questions, his own speech on the history, function and usefulness of the CRD, his long-armed friend, his ability to turn a phrase so the humor shone, there are so many good memories. Brenda, there are no words to fill the hole in your heart right now.
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Wayne Emde Please accept my condolences.
I served as the Public Affairs Officer at Vernon Army Cadet Camp while LCol Clark was the Commanding Officer and I remember well not only his great laugh and sense of humour, but his inspiration and leadership. It was a pleasure to serve with and for him.
Wayne Emde
Vernon
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Brian MacNeill Judy and I would like to offer our deepest and sincere condolences to Gardy and the family. As someone who is interested in politics, I always enjoyed speaking to Bob and sharing his ideas.
He will be missed!
Our deepest sympathies to the family.
Brian & Judy MacNeill
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Padre Don Malins Dear Gardy,
We fondly remember times shared at Camp Vernon and at Camp Pat Bay where I attended many Mass Dinners after Cadet Officers graduations.
Bob was epacially kind to our son, Steve, whom he took under his wing and halped him immensly are his time at RR. He will be dropping his own message to you.
I always enjoyed giving Bob a rough time from the Naval side of the house!
May Bob rest in peace!
Don & Virginia Malins
Victoria
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Larry Cross On behalf of the Town of Sidney, I wish to extend our sympathies to the Clark family on their loss of a fine person. He made a contribution to all of us, and for this, we are thankful.
Larry Cross
Mayor
Town of Sidney
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David & Frances Stocks Dear Gardy, Brenda, & Family.
Bob was a good man and a good friend. We will miss him. We know that you will miss him more.
Hugs to all.
David & Frances
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Lori Messer Fellow Rotarian (retired), politician, friend – Bob touched my life in so many ways. Who can forget the amazing remembrance Day shows at the Sooke Community Theatre? And it was Bob who so many years ago had the eroding Whiffen Spit repaired – much to the ire of several very verbal voters. Next time you walk the Spit thank him! My favourite memory of Bob is when we both ran for mayor and after the debate he gave me a big hug and said, “you did great kid!”. That was just how he was.
Gardy, Brenda and family members my thoughts are with you.
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Dave Giacomelli I am so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We met in Denmark in 1976 on an AMF(L) NATO exercise where we shared a tent for a week. He made a lasting impression upon me – I could never forget that laugh – and I was pleased to see him again here on the west coast when we both served with the Army Cadet organization.
Unfortunately I will be out of town during the celebration of his life so may I now simply offer my heartfelt condolences to his family.Dave Giacomelli
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Valerie Durr and Henry Strong Our hearts go out to all of the family at this time of loss. We only knew Bob a short time…but he was certainly a fun guy! May he rest in peace and watch over all of you.
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Shannon Clarke so sorry to hear about Bob, he will truly be missed
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Elizabeth Sheridan Dear Gardy & family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I thoroughly enjoyed working for Bob at the CRD. I last saw him at the end of Oct. 2009 when he spoke at my retirement farewell. I consider myself very fortunate for having known him. You are inmy thoughts & prayers.
Brenda and family — so sorry to hear of your father’s passing, such a loss to you and the community.