MACLEOD, Robert (Bob) Passed away peacefully May 24, 2025 in Victoria, BC, at the age of 85.
Bob was born in Calgary, Alberta, where he attended Sunalta school. As a student at Strathcona Composite High School in Edmonton, he achieved the top scores in the province of Alberta of 100% in his Grade 12 Mathematics and Social Studies final exams. He obtained his B. Sc from the University of Alberta, and went on to obtain a Masters degree from the California Institute of Technology, and his Ph. D. in Mathematics from the University of Alberta in 1966. He joined the University of Victoria’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics that same year. Bob’s area of research was number theory, a branch of pure mathematics.
In 1959, while working as a summer student in Ottawa, Bob met and fell in love with Marion Watson. However, Marion wanted a career, so they drifted apart, and she taught at Carleton University in Ottawa for many years while Bob went back west. Twenty years later, Bob decided to visit Marion in Ottawa, and they fell in love again. They were married in 1979, and had 21 great years together before rheumatoid arthritis took Marion in 2000.
Bob and his second wife Ann Glover, met on an internet dating site a couple of years later. It was love at first sight, and after less than a week of dating, Bob proposed, and Ann accepted! They were married in 2002 and began 23 years of joyful sharing of common interest in gardening, cruising, and genealogy. Working together with Ann on genealogy, Bob spent many happy hours tracing the MacLeod family history.
Bob went on approximately 90 cruises with Ann, including several “Genealogy Cruises”. He enjoyed competing in putting contests on the decks of the ships and was a frequent prize winner. Bob and Ann’s garden at their home in Victoria was spectacular for many years, and Bob knew the Latin names of every one of those beautiful flowers!
As a long-time member of the Uplands Golf Course, Bob and his foursome had a standing tee-time of 12:34, easy to remember! He had never parred the 18th hole at Uplands until one night he played it using only a putter and managed to make his par!
Love of the Rocky Mountains was inherited by all the MacLeod family members. Bob spent many joyous occasions driving to Radium, where he and Ann owned portions of a couple of units at Bighorn Meadows. Often, they would drive on to Banff and Lake Louise, where they would stay in the Chateau Lake Louise and enjoy the spectacular view of the glaciers.
Being a strong supporter of a good university education, Bob left money in his will to provide for student scholarships at five different universities.
Bob was famous among his friends for being able to come up with numerous puns to spice up a conversation.
Deeply mourning his passing are his beloved wife Ann, his two brothers Alan (Arlene) and John (Pat), his niece Carrie (Peter), his nephew Craig (Jackie) his niece Audrey (Mark), his nephew Darryl (Charity), his grand-nephew Jeffrey, and their families, along with his nephews Roger and Barry and several cousins. He was highly respected by Ann’s children Kathy, Patrick (Stacey), and Jason (Pia), and was loved by their children as a “step-grandpa”. Also mourning is Bob’s student and long-time close friend Gary MacGillivray, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at U. Vic.
Bob is pre-deceased by his father Munroe MacLeod, his mother Ruth MacLeod, his stepmother Hilda MacLeod, his first wife Marion (nee Watson), his sister Iris MacLeod, and his niece Carolyn MacLeod (Dave).
The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the Palliative Care Unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. In particular, we would like to thank Dr. Alex Smith and nurses Maddie, Joel and Caroline.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Uplands Golf Course, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria BC. on Wednesday, June 25th at 2:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “MacLeod” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Neil and Susan Hutchison
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Dot & Frank Roberts Bob was one of the first people we met when we came to Victoria in 1968 and we enjoyed a lasting friendship with him and Marion and then later with Ann. We remember him as an ardent punster…always ready to entertain with his witty remarks. He is greatly missed.
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Mark Forgeron I am happy that you had a life filled with love and travel and family. We will miss you, but we also celebrate all that you experienced in a life well lived.
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Roger Strassner Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Robert (Bob) MacLeod. My uncle Bob was a profound lover of nature and gardening, creating a beautiful sanctuary in Victoria that reflected his deep appreciation for the outdoors—and he probably knew the Latin names of more flowers than anyone else in the neighborhood! Alongside Ann, he shared a passion for genealogy and photography, spending many joyful hours researching family history and capturing special moments together (often making sure everyone looked good before the camera clicked). Bob’s adventurous spirit took him around the world, and he delighted in sharing the details of every journey abroad through his wonderfully written family letters, bringing each adventure to life for those at home—sometimes with a pun or two that only he could get away with. His warmth, humor, and generosity touched all who knew him. May your memories of Bob’s love for nature, storytelling, travel, and family bring you comfort—and maybe even a smile—during this difficult time. My thoughts are with your family.
We were very saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. Our condolences go out to his entire family.
My father, James Hutchison, was first cousin to Bob. As a young child I fondly remember being invited for dinner at Munroe and Hilda’s home in Edmonton. Over the last several years, my wife and I have had the pleasure of dining and visiting with Bob, his siblings and family members … most recently in Victoria at the Uplands Golf Course where he played.
Bob will be remembered as a true gentleman and scholar!
Neil and Susan Hutchison (Kelowna)