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
21 Responses
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
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.
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!!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
He was a great biology teacher and had a great sense of humour and way of teaching. He made a difference for so many.