After a long and exemplary life our amazing dad died peacefully in the home he grew up in, surrounded by his three children. He was predeceased in 2006 by his beloved wife of 63 years Jean (Wilson), his sister Ruth (Brink) and brothers Gordon, Arthur, James and Donald. Bob is survived by, and was a loving father and best friend to, his daughter Lynne McPherson (Bob) and sons Rodney and Brent (Kathy). He leaves 4 grandchildren Jamie McPherson (Linda), Shauna Huffman, Laurie Seto (Graham) and Richard Fields (Vanessa) and 10 great grandchildren Bridget, Robbie McPherson, Courtney, TJ, Caitlyn Huffman, Elias, Jalen, Rylan, Aricin Seto, and Sienna Fields as well as sisters-in-law Barbara Fields (Gordon) of Victoria and Betty Millins (Donald) of Vancouver and treasured relatives here and in the USA.
Bobʼs parents moved to Victoria in 1908 and the family grew up in the Fairfield area with all 6 children attending Sir James Douglas elementary, Victoria High School and Victoria College. Bob joined the provincial Dept. of Finance in 1939 and continued in various capacities with the Government for the next 45 years until his retirement in 1984. During the period 1941 to 1945, Bob served in the RCAF as a bombing instructor.In his youth Bob played rugby and baseball and on two provincial championship basketball teams. Bob coached basketball at First United Church boysʼ club and served as President of the Beacon Hill Little League. He took up golf after he retired, enjoying the challenge and camaraderie of biweekly rounds at Cedar Hill well into his eighties.
He was a skillful handyman who excelled at planning and working on household projects (especially involving carpentry, woodworking and painting) and delighted in sharing his talents with family and friends.He was a long-time member of First United Church (now First Metropolitan United Church) and served as a trustee as well as on the Board of Managers and spent many years involved in renovations and repairs of the church.
Bob and Jean enjoyed extensive world travels and shared these experiences with friends and various groups with narrative and slide presentations. Bob was a quiet man with a kind heart and good sense of humour. He had a generous spirit and was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in any way he could. He will be greatly missed but will live on in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Don Howell
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Lee Drummond Dear Fields Family: We send you our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. I remember when your Mom died shortly after our Mom, Laura Hagglund that I said to your Dad at your Mom’s service it didn’t seem right to see him without Mrs. Fields beside him. He replied it didn’t seem right to him either. It is nice to think of them being together again. It is lovely that you were able to support him in his home to almost 100!
I am sure you have lots of good memories to support you at this time. Again our deepest sympathy.
Paul and Lee Drummond
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Moe Turner To Rod, Brent and Lynne our most sincere condolences. Uncle Bob was a true gentleman, rock-solid and always willing to help others. He and Auntie Jean were an exemplary couple, much-loved by all of us.
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Karen L. Harrison Dear Lynne and family Just wanted to say I recognised your Dad’s friendly smile when reading the obituaries in the paper this morning. I met him when we were both sat in the balcony at the United church–only later finding out he was your Dad. My parents (Jack & Phyl Robinson) enjoyed living as your close neighbours for many years. May loving memories bring you comfort.
With love, Karen (&Bert) Harrison
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Dianne Schroeder Rod, so sorry to read this; a wonderful man whom we admired greatly.
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Sharron Higgins I am sending my condolences to Bob’s family at this time.
Memories:
Bob and Jean were lifelong friends to the Holdridge, Higgins and McCall families. As a second generation of Victorians, my Mother and Father, Lauretta and Frank Holdridge, and Uncles Graham and Torrey McCall, were all friends at Vic High School and Victoria College. All of them attended at one time or another during the school years, the famous First United Basket Ball games when Bob was a star player.
When Uncle Graham was Chairman of the First United Church Board of Trustees, he often called on Bob for his wise financial advice.
I remember my Father-in-law, Rev. AI Higgins stating that he appreciated Bob’s wood- crafting expertise on the huge purchase of new Chancel furniture for the church. A special oak pulpit, chair and dedicated Communion table is still in use today.
In my younger years, I remember Bob and Jean being highly regarded leaders of camps and many special events. Jean was particularly gifted leading the United Church city-wide CGIT groups.
Such fond family and church memories growing up.
God bless his strong but gentle soul.
Sincerely, Sharron (Holdridge) Higgins
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Kenn Pearce We are saddened by your loss. I have fond memories of Bob.
Rod, Lynne, Brent & families
How fortunate we all were to have had such a wonderful man in our lives for
all these many years. R.I.P. Uncle Bob & Auntie Jean.
Don, Judy, Marj & the Howell famiilies