April 13, 1951 – July 08, 2011
Bob died peacefully after a two year diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. Bob was an extremely loving husband and father. He cherished life long friendships, was a sports enthusiast, an avid cyclist, great story teller, music lover, outstanding leader, instructor and mentor, an astute judge of character and had an insatiable mind for information. Bob was a proud ambassador of his birth place, Trail, BC and the West Kootenays and loved hiking in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. He enjoyed his UBC days, graduating in 1974 in Commerce, specializing in Accounting and Information Management Systems and successfully passing exams to become a Chartered Accountant which he practiced for several years. Bob had a distinguished 32 year career with the BC Public Service. He was the Senior Financial Officer in several ministries as well as Chief Information Officer in his most recent position with the Ministry of Transportation. Predeceased by his mother and father, Estelle and James Buckingham and brother, Dick; Bob is survived by his wife, Angela; children, Andrew, Diana and Julia; step-mother, Pam; siblings, Peggy (Mike), Colin (Alana) and Sally (Crispin); several nieces and nephews; and former wife, Jill Howard.
A Celebration of Life will be held at MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 2 pm. A reception will follow in McCall’s Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice. Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mccallbros.com.
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Tom Mitchell
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Jessica and Geoff Burgess We are your neighbors on Oakdowne, you were kind enough to give us all the rock we needed to landscape our back patio. We heard today from another neighbor that Bob has passed away. We are shocked to hear this sad news and are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Jessica, Geoff, Jasmine, and baby Seth.
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Bob Derksen Angela sorry to hear about your loss. I’d contacted Randy to let him know that my mother passed away on July 6th and he shared the news about Bob’s passing. I know this is a difficult time and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bob Derksen
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Brian and Pat Jenkins Angela & Family
Bob’s service was a beautiful tribute to him and given the large crowd of past co-workers it is apparent how respected he was. We were both fortunate enough to have had the privilege to work with Bob and have many fond memories & stories.
The wonderful memories you have will forever hold a special place in your hearts and continue to comfort you during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.Brian and Pat Jenkins
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Lesley Hesford Angela, my deepest sympathies to you and your daughter, and to the extended family.
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Maggi Flett Sincere condolences in the loss of Bob.
I first met Bob in 1994 when he hired me as his secretary while he was the Director of Finance & Administration for the Ministry of Transportation and Highways (MoTH). Bob was instrumental in my attaining a Certified General Accounting (CGA) designation. I started the program to obtain level 2 so that I could compete in some of the better-paying financial positions. Bob said he would help me if I completed my level 3. He stuck to his word and, from then on, I was given various financial assignments. However, having completed level 3, I realized I was more than three quarters of the way to a CGA designation so that made the decision much easier. I have Bob to thank for his support.
While working for Bob, I also observed how he treated his branch staff as his extended family. MoTH underwent some major downsizing while I was there and I could see how upset he would get when he had to let some of his staff go. It was like he was telling his sons and daughters that they had to leave home and move far away.
My husband and I had the pleasure of playing golf with Bob and his son Andrew when we invited them to join us for a game at Royal Colwood. I remember Bob saying that he lived about a 9 iron away from Uplands.
I also remember the many staff parties we would enjoy when Bob would let his curly hair down.
The last time I saw Bob was at my retirement luncheon in January 2007 and the last time I heard from him was on April 13th – his 60th birthday – when he responded to my birthday greeting.
It’s hard to believe Bob is no longer with us. But he will live on in our memories.
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Maria Ciarniello Angela, my deepest sympathies to you and Julia. I know that love and memories of that love last forever and will in time ease the heart.
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Suzanne Lim Dear Angela and Family,
My deepest sympathies go out to you during this difficult time. I was truly sorry to hear when Bob first beacme ill and deeply saddened to hear of his passing.
I had the privilege of working in Bob’s branch along side Dana for a temporary period during my ‘Recall’ year in 2001,2002. I was very sad when my term ended. Bob was a wonderful man to work for and treated me with respect and caring. It was truly an honor to work for him.
Bob was one of those individuals who will always be remembered as making a difference. Even for his glasses of Sambuca at Christmas!
Anglea and family, keep your memories close as they will indeed help during this difficult time. Even though Bob is not with you in person now, his spirit will always be with you.
Sincerely, Suzanne Lim
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Genevieve Pelletier Angela and family, my thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss.
Genevieve Pelletier
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Carol&Marty Cooper Angela and Julia
Our love and thoughts are with you both today, and everyday.
We love you both very much.
Love Carol and Marty
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Paul Hemsley Angela,
I just returned from family vacation and was shocked and saddened to learn of the loss of your husband. My thougths and prayers are with you at this time.
Paul.
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Carol&Marty Cooper Angela and Julia
Our love and thoughts are with you both today, and always.
We love you both very much.
Love Carol and Marty
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Tobi, Mike and Brody Auntie Angela
I love you very much, and we are so sorry. Uncle Bob was a wonderful man, and when our son Brody was born, Bob was so wonderful with him. He was so caring and Brody felt such comfort with him,and Bob just held him for hours. I will never forget those moments with uncle Bob. He was a wonderful addition to our family and most of all you and Bob gave us the greatest gift ever, my cousin Julia.
Julia we love you very much, and we are always here for you.
You are such a beautiful girl and a beautiful person.
I love you Julia, and I love you Auntie Angela
We love you Bob.
Love Tobi, Mike and Brody
xoxoxoxo…
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Kelly Ketcheson Tears are words the heart cannot express. So sorry for your loss.
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Rod & Deb Saxby Angela, We are both saddened and surprised to hear of Bob’s passing. Although our connection was brief, we enjoyed meeting you both and sharing lifelong memories of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.Deb & Rod
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Norm C. Barry Dear Buckingham family. I came across Bob’s passing announcement by chance in Trail Times online. Many moons ago I got to know Bob in tadanac hanging out with the boys. He had a great laugh, smile and we had great fun around Trail. I have met his younger brother Colin and introduced myself to him at his restaurant in Penticton where I reside. I am very sorry for your loss. My condolences, and he will be missed. A laugh and smile to remember. Norm Barry, South Okanagan BC
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Evelyn Andrews-Greene It is with deep sadness, and surprise, that I learned of Bob’s untimely passing.
Bob and I were part of the “keen and enthusiastic professional family” in the early years (late 1970s/early 1980s) of the then-new Province of British Columbia’s Auditor General Office. It was stimulating and fun. And, I fondly remember the many social events, such as our golfing and curling parties, that helped develop such a positive and productive working environment. Bob was very important part of all of this, bringing both great people skills and a real joy of life.
Poignantly, I also remember the wonderful Special “1951 Babies” Birthday Party(ies) at “the Kelso’s”…. It seems like all of this was only yesterday, and it’s hard to realize Bob is already on his next journey. Thank goodness Bob took the time really enjoy life!
If there’s one soul to organize Heaven into an even better place before I arrive, Bob’s the one to help accomplish that! 🙂 Blessings on you, Bob:)
My sincere condolences to all of his family and close friends.
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Peter Brett Angela:
Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Peter & Sheila
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Ashley Fortune Di, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and your family at this hard time.
All the best to you
Ashley
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Chris Morley Dear Angela and family,
We’re very sorry for your great loss. Our deepest sympathies are with you all at this difficult time.
Chris Morley
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Ken Wilson MD Dear Mrs Buckingham and family,
We send our deepest sympathies.
Ken Wilson and Staff, BC Cancer Agency,
Vancouver Island Centre.
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Sherry Stubbings I got to know Bob for a brief time before I retired in 2008. He was always sincerely interested in the well being of his staff and I was very touched that he made a point of calling me on my last day of work. He was attending a conference in Vancouver and wanted to wish me a happy retirement. That speaks volumes.
A very special and kind man – my sincere condolences to Angela and children.
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Dianne Froese Dear Angela
I am so sorry for your loss.
Bob accepted his fate so gracefully. He fought a great battle.
He was a great boss to me for many years.
I’m sure there is a fantastic baseball team in heaven that he is already a member of.
With the help of your family and friends, I know you will find the comfort, courage and strength to get through this difficult time.
You are in my thoughts & prayers
God bless
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Adaline O'Gorman Angela and Julia,
Alan and I are saddened to hear about Bob’s illness and death. One line that could have been in the obituary is “Good Neighbour” because that is what he was to us: good neighbour for nearly twenty years until we moved and lost sight of your home and lost touch with your struggles.
We are just about to leave on a trip so won’t be at the service. Please accept my condolences in this form instead of face to face, which would have been preferable.
With sadness,Adaline
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Steve and Anne Housser Andrew,
We are so sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. He sounds like a remarkable man, and one who lived life to the fullest. You will miss him so much. Paddle by this summer – we’d love to see you, raise a glass in his honour, and hear some stories.
Our thoughts are with you and your family.
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Megs Murray Dear Angela and Julia,
My profound sympathy to you and your family.
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Mike Buckley Dear Angela and Family,
Deepest condolences from Marlena and I. Bob will very much be missed.
Bob and I first met on the ball field back during our respective playing days. We shared many a beer and a laugh together. Bob later became Marlena’s boss at LP&H and, later still, my boss at MoTH.
Though Bob valued the hiring of staff with appropriate academic qualifications, he also appreciated the “grinders”, those of us who had worked our way up the ranks and hopefully maintained a feel for what it was like to work in the trenches. Bob was a supportive boss and a progressive leader. I’ll always be grateful for his personal backing and counsel.Bob and I enjoyed a common love of sports, music and family. We spent countless hours at Victoria ball parks, arenas and gyms and it was always a pleasure to reconnect and swap stories at events following my retirement.
I look back fondly too on our road trips, both those for work and those to sports events. Bob could be counted on to bring along his Rolling Stones, Patsy Cline and Stevie Ray Vaughan tapes/Cds and a well-stocked cooler.
Farewell Bob. A glass will be raised in your honor.
Mike Buckley
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John Dowler Dear Angela:
My heart-felt sympathies to you and your family at this time of great loss.
It is difficult to accurately describe the full extent of Bob’s positive influence over so many of us and on the BC Public Service in general. Bob was a great friend and mentor to many of us. He was also a powerful force for change throughout his long and distinguished career in Government. Never one to shy away from expressing his firmly-held ideas or to be overly concerned about “going against the flow”, his ideas were often the underlying catalyst as we moved forward.
I had the privilege of working for Bob twice during my career (first at the Office of the Auditor General and years later at the Ministry of Transportation) and working with him as a Director colleague. As members of the Senior Financial Officers’ Council, we could always count on Bob’s observations to be both insightful and full of wit. I remember fondly our many out-of-town trips together. For a number of years, Bob was also the ever-patient coach of our Office of the Auditor General fastball team and led us to the Provincial Government Championship.
Bob was both a deeply caring man and a shrewd judge of character. We are all the better for having known him. He will forever be in our hearts.
John Dowler
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Pamela Smith (his cousin) Bob will forever be the ‘sunny boy’ we knew well as his cousin or aunt until 1958 and again in 1964. When we re-connected after roughly 40 years, he remained so; he had become a thoughtful, caring, generous man with a terrific sense of humour about life’s many quirks, who spoke so warmly about his family.
Bob fully enjoyed his life, in all ways: as a truly genuine public servant, as a friend to so many, and most especially as a husband, brother and Dad. His family brought him *great* joy. The last journey you have been forced to take with him was no doubt made easier for him through your steady, unfailing, focussed support and love. May the memories of all you created, and shared with, him in so many ways bring you comfort.
Angela, this part of Bob’s Saskatchewan family will be thinking of you, and Andrew, Diana and Julia on Monday, along with his sister Peggy, as we have been. We are profoundly sorry for your immeasurable loss.
Pamela Smith (Bob Stirling) & for his Auntie Pat in Regina (the last of the five ‘Slaughter girls’, including Bob’s mom, Estelle) and Pam’s daughter Caitlin, her husband Jay, and Julian (who you welcomed so readily to Victoria) along with the more recent Declan.
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Bruce Richmond Angela and family. I wish you all the best during these difficult times. Bob hired me when I was 25 yrs old and immediately provided opportunities that allowed me to progress in my career. He was a mentor, both on a personal and professional level and helped so many people and their families over the years. It is truly amazing how many senior executives in the public service were either hired by Bob or worked closely with him. He will be missed but always remembered as an honorable man who did what he believed was right and fair. Take care.
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Ken Lukawesky Hello Angela. My deepest sympathies to you and your family for your loss.
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Ian Rokeby Angela:
My heart-felt sympathy to you and your daughter at this difficult time.
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Adrian & Bev VanDerZalm We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Brent Persello Hello Angela. Very sad to hear the new of of Bob’s passing. My thoughts are certainly with you during this difficult time.
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Tara Ney My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Bob and I coached our daughters in the Oak Bay Little League Girls Allstar teams for several years. For that month in June we all had such fun together. Bob brought an unrelenting dedication and passion to the game—persisting, focusing, organizing, and eating hot dogs after games. Above all, he made the connection between how we practiced and how we did games: winning was the goal, but how we got there was most important. His always “do your best” attitude I am certain spilled over to other parts of these young players lives. We will miss you Bob.
Tara Ney
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Mike Woods Bob and I coached the both our sons and our daughters over eight years at OBLL, we shared many a night of practice and games together and endless discussions on what happened or what should happen at any given game. We shared a great love of the Blues, Base(soft)ball and children in sport. He had a great impact on everyone he touched.
Robin Pat Alix and I are saddened by this loss and extend our sympathies to Angela Andrew Diana and Julia.
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Dan Penman Angela,
My sympathies for your loss. I pray for comfort and peace for you and your family during this time of grief and loss.Dan Penman
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Greg Czernick Angela, my deepest sympathy for your loss. I truly enjoyed the few times i talked with Bob and we always seemed to have some stories to share. A very special person…
My family’s thoughts and prayers are always with you.
Greg
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Chelsea Manders Each year I looked forward to Oak Bay softball along with Di and so many other friends. Bob was an uncompromising coach who taught us that hard practice, focus and hustling on the field can win the game. Those summers at Fireman’s Park are some of my favourite memories. We were so lucky to be on his team (we won a lot).
All my love to you in this time of loss. Know that Bob made a huge difference in my life and the lives of so many other young catchers, fielders, and pitchers who continue to carry the focus and dedication he taught us into our careers and families.
Chelsea
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Nahid Badie-Arani Dear Angela,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nahid
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Bill Szto Angela,
With deepest sympathies. Might the fond memories of Bob be with you at time of sorrow.
Bill
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Marge & Leonard Boldt Dear Angela & Julia,
We cherish the wonderful visit we had with you in May of 2010. Our walk together through Buchart Gardens, and then dinner at your home including Julia. Then you came to Sask. in July for the Boldt family reunion. That was special too.
In November of 2010 we shared with you the passing of your mother in Chilliwack. Even though we are many kilometers apart, we walk with you during this time of sadness. We wish for you comfort and peace.Marge & Leonard, Saskatoon
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Ashley Davis Bob was an outstanding softball coach; he was dedicated, competitive and truly cared about his players. Those were some really great summers. I’m so sorry for your loss.
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Dana & Lloyd Richards Dear Angela, Andrew, Di & Julia,
Our deepest sympathies go out to you – Bob was so very special to us as well – he remains in our hearts and will never be forgotten.
We continue to grieve alongside with you…praying for you all.
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Svein Haugen Dear Angela and Family,
Bob and I go way back to the Auditor General day professionally. He will always be remembered as a leader in the financial community of government. I will also always remember the good times we had on many work related road trips around the province.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Svein Haugen
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Murray Tekano Dear Angela and Family,
I have great memories of Bob and I beleive that’s what he wants us to take with us. Whether it was playing ball or swapping stories he was great to be around and always alot of fun.
I am sorry for your family’s loss and my thoughts are with you.
Murray Tekano
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Suzanne Moreau Dear Angela and Julia,
Both Todd and I have fond memories of Bob from the Highways softball tourney days in Merritt and Kamloops – many fun hours spent alongside Bob at play and in practices – where he was always a great source of wit and fun.
We will miss him and send our deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your family.
Suzanne Moreau and Todd Nakazawa
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Keith Liedtke Dear Angela and Family,
Bob was a special person and a very good friend.
I will always remember our year of coaching the Major Boys Tournament Team at Oak Bay Little League and cheering our boys on at Victoria Racquet Club Hockey.
Bob and I enjoyed our lunch hours on busy work weeks – walking the inner harbour – discussing everything from sports, to solving the world’s problems.
Bob was a loving family man and a very loyal friend!
Farewell Bob – you are very much missed!
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Greg Gilks Angela, the loss of colleague such as Bob leaves a rather hollow feeling. Bob was a keen supporter of our programs when I was in CVSE, but I truly grew to respect him because of his passionate approach to his work, hobbies and life in general. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you.
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Gloria Valle Dear Angela and Family, my heart felt thoughts are with you. Bob indeed was a leader, mentor and friend to so many of us that knew him and worked with him. He will be truely missed, I will forever have fond memories of Bob, my first boss and mentor in the public service.
SIncerely,
Gloria Valle
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Laurie Farquharson Angela, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I have fond wishes of working with Bob. He will truly be missed.
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Tamara Ford Bob leaves behind him a legacy – a wonderful family and distinguished career. He will be greatly missed and I am so sorry for you loss. I wish all the best to those of you that his memory lives on through. My deepest condolences,
Tamara Ford
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Don Ramsay Dear Angela and Family:
On behalf of the many in northwestern BC who knew Bob, we know how much he was loved in life and we know he will live on forever in our hearts. Our thoughts are with you all…Sincerely,
Don Ramsay and the Skeena District Highways staff in Terrace
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Jon Jensen Angela, my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
I only recently heard of Bob’s passing and was so sorry to hear this unexpected news. Our lives ony passed briefly through business when I was on contract for a few years at the BC Ministry of Transportation.
My time there is one I always remember fondly and I particularly remember Bob as one of the gentlemen of the industry.
Plese accept my sincere condolences.
Tom Mitchell