Richard was born in Rock Bay, BC August 2, 1944, and passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC with his children by his side. He was predeceased by his parents Tony and Florence Roberts, and Barbara, his wife of 55 years. He is survived by his children Hilary and Michael (Melanie), sisters Margaret (Dan) and Charlotte, and brother David (Nadine), and his grandsons Owen and Josh. Richard was also a great grandson of Stephen and Jane Cook of the ‘Namgis First Nations of Alert Bay.
Richard grew up in Esquimalt and attended St. Michael’s Prep School where he was Head Boy in Grade 9. He was awarded scholarships to attend Ridley College in St Catharines, Ontario. He received his BA (Honours) from the University of Victoria and his Master Degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia. While at the University of Victoria, Richard joined the University Naval Training Division later transferring to HMCS Discovery in Vancouver. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1974.
Richard and Barbara started their married life in North Vancouver in 1967 before moving to Ottawa where Richard joined the Department of Fisheries. Over the course of his career, he was involved in several major policy initiatives including the extension of fisheries jurisdiction to 200 miles (1977) and amendments to the Fisheries Act (1991). Richard retired from Fisheries and Oceans in 1996, and he and Barbara fulfilled their dream of returning to Victoria. They especially enjoyed their many sailboat trips to the beautiful islands and inlets along the south coast of BC, and sharing these trips with friends and family.
In 2010 Richard was appointed as a member to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal of BC. During his 11-year tenure, he participated in over 500 appeals, 300 of those as panel chair.
Richard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a keen family sports fan, coach and cheerleader! He especially enjoyed summer visits by his grandsons, where he perfected his hidden talent for making ice cream. Richard had been competitive in correspondence chess as a teenager and became an avid online chess player in his retirement.
The family would like to thank the friendly staff of Somerset House retirement home, and the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital for their compassionate care of Richard in his final days.
No service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the Cancer Society of BC with thanks at https://bccancerfoundation.com/ways-to-give/give-in-memory-honour-or-celebration/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
at www.mccallgardens.com
15 Responses
Dick was a very passionate person, totally involved in any cause or issue he worked on, was assigned or cared for. When I joined the department as head of policy, he had already made a significant contribution on the extension of Canada’s fisheries jurisdiction. Because of our respective personalities, we had a rocky start but I can attest he made a major positive contribution to the work of DFOs Policy Branch.
Deepest sympathies to his family and many friends.
My deepest condolences to Richard’s family.
I had the pleasure of working with Richard at Fisheries & Oceans in Ottawa in the 1980’s & 90’s. Richard was an excellent senior manager: knowledgeable, highly competent and friendly.
I will always remember Richard considerately. Au revoir, and may you rest in peace.
I first met Dick in 1975 when as a recent college graduate I showed up in Vancouver from Saskatchewan to start a career in the Dept of Fisheries. Dick was a neighbor to the Wilkinsons who were my aunt and uncle. Dick took me in to the office in downtown Vancouver on the Monday morning for my first day of work. Ten years later after a stop in Alert Bay I ended up in Ottawa where over the next decade at various times I worked with Dick on different projects, and often shared a coffee with him. My condolences to the family an may he rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of Richard’s death. It is turning the end of 2022 into a very sad time. We send our deepest sympathy and condolences to Hilary and Michael and all the family. With muvch love from across the pond.
Angela and Jerry.
Our condolences to the Robert’s family. We are so very sorry to hear of Richard’s death. He certainly was a big part of yours and many others lives. We recall his interest in his activities regarding his family, his grandsons, his sailing, his travels and his love of Oreo ice cream! We pray God gives you the strength to carry on through this time of pain and sorrow.
We remember fondly the times we spent with Richard and Barbara, our neighbours on Fillmore Crescent in Ottawa. Simple things like riding the bus to work together, and fun events such as our “gourmet club”. The “kids” all played together on Fillmore when they were young and went to the same schools. Happy memories.
More recently we visited them in Victoria and went on a wonderful sailing trip with them through the islands
After a difficult couple of years, Barbara and Richard are at peace.
Don & Margo Ford
Please accept my deepest condolences. I worked with Richard at the Tribunal over the last several years. I deeply appreciated his intelligence, insight and passion for the work. I learned more from him about the work we do here than from any other person or source. I considered him a friend, and I will continue to miss him and his contributions.
Richard and Barbara were good friends down the street on Fillmore during the “Ottawa” years, with kids in similar interests and activities and our famous “gourmet club” bringing us together often. We regret not doing a better job of keeping in touch after leaving Ottawa for “home” in Victoria and Winnipeg respectively. Nevertheless, they remain counted as “friends” whose company we enjoyed often, if not often enough. Au revoir, Dick and Barb.
Richard and Barb are together again. May they Rest In Peace and perpetual light shine on them. We remember with fondness Richard’s ice cream cone contribution to the annual Canada Day picnic that many of our social circle attended. Jackie and Harry Ray
Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Our hope in faith…is to see our loved ones again. This I believe. May your memories always bless your heart♥️ fondly…peggy