Robert, with his usual speed, left this world to join his beloved wife Cory. Robert led a long, prosperous and adventurous life, lived to the fullest. Olympian (1952, 100 and 200 meters), Lawyer (loved to talk), Judge (known for sprinting up to the bench, practicality and perhaps moments of impatience) and, his favourite, Fisherman (incredibly focused and usually, unusually peaceful).
While a long way from his high Quadra childhood home, Robert attended Oak Bay High where he met and started dating Cory at age 15. After graduation, with a track scholarship in hand, Robert studied in Seattle at the University of Washington. After realizing he lacked the ability to be a doctor, journalist or economist, Robert settled on a law degree and shortly thereafter married Cory. Three kids in 2 ½ years and the pandemonium of life followed.
Robert started fishing at an early age at his family’s summer place on Shawnigan Lake, where up until last summer, you could still find him on the wharf with fly rod in hand. He fished on lakes, on rivers, and on the sea, all with the same overriding desire to catch a fish. While his professional life brought much success, he was always thinking about the next fish to reel in.
Robert gave much time to the community chairing a number of charitable boards such as United Way, YMCA and perhaps his favourite, Lester B Pearson College of which he was a founding member. He was active politically, running a number of successful campaigns. To retain his athleticism he ran out of the Y and to keep his competitive spirit he golfed for 64 years at the Victoria Golf Club.
Robert surrounded himself with friends, fishing buddies, golf pals, poker players (high stakes with 5 cent antes), law colleagues, running cronies and life long friends. He took great pleasure in his 3 children, Richard (Linda), Jane (Gary) and Jim (Stefania), his 5 grandchildren, Sara, Daniel, Adam, Preston, and Luca and his one great-granddaughter, Selena. Sadly, he was predeceased by his grandson, Lorenzo and great-grandson Tristan.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Amica on the Gorge who were so very kind and patient over the last year. A celebration in his honour will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Sequoia Room, McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Victoria YMCA.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Hutchsion” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Jasper McLennan
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Sandra Harper My deepest condolences to the Hutchison family. I always appreciated Bob’s kindness and human touch as a judge. He took time to offer words of support and encouragement to members of the Victoria Bar (including me) via the coveted handwritten “Hutchison Note”. I will remember Bob with fondness.
Kindest regards,
Associate Judge Sandra Harper
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Carol Mahood Huddart Your father was one of a few very special people in my life. I am so very grateful to have had the luck to have had his support since early 1974 when he told the director of Pearson College, soon to be opened in Metchosin, that he would help me, a young lawyer in Peterborough, Ontario, gain admission to the B.C. Bar. Help me he did for the rest of his life. When the Law Society required me to re-article he hired me. With his stories he educated me about Vancouver Island and Victoria in particular. As the first lawyer for Pearson College, he helped me learn about the special needs of an international college for whom there is still no comparable structure in Canada. He exemplified all the qualities clients need when they find themselves in need of legal advice. He was an outstanding personal lawyer whose solutions for problems seemed almost intuitive, to come so easily. The depth of his understanding of human nature and kindness to everyone rooted his advice. A fine mind and endless energy made it possible. Know that you all are joined by so many others in sadness at his loss, but in gratitude for his long life.
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Douglas Macfarlane Condolences to the family. You certainly captured the essence of Bob in the obit. Perhaps his interest in fishing and the law coalesced in his frequent comment from the bench indicating counsel needed to decide to fish of catch bait. Bob juniors my dad in a murder trial in his early career and I got to junior Bob in several memorable trials when I started practicing law. Bob and Allan cox served as campaign chairs for my dad and it was their hard work that got him elected. Bob enjoyed a wonderful and full life with Cory— they had friends from every walk of life. We will miss him
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Ross Collver He wrote succinct reasons for judgment, believed one practice swing was enough at Oak Bay GC, and was a kind and generous colleague.
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Robin-Lee (Ross) Clarke I was fortunate to have Bob as my lawyer for quite a few years until he became a judge.
He was a wonderful man! Terrific sense of humor, and the best lawyer a person could have.
My deepest condolences to his family.
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Bob Gill I’m proud to say that I was Bob’s last articled student before he was appointed to the bench. He was an inspiring mentor, and I learned a lot, as we shared some unusual files. After an appropriate interval following his appointment, I was able to appear before him, and had that pleasure a number of times. He displayed unusual candour and a high degree of practicality on the bench. He had ways of sharing insightful feedback with counsel, both in open court and through private communications. I will always treasure a note he sent me after one trial, providing positive feedback. He will be missed. My sincere condolences go to the family.
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Theresa McDiarmid My condolences to all who knew and loved Robert. I only met him in his later years, but soon could tell he had led a full and rewarding life, so engaged in everything and everybody around him. I am honoured to say goodbye, from his 1st cousin once removed, Theresa McDiarmid.
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Kathy Thom My sincerest condolences to the Hutchison family. Robert was a force and will be missed. Shawnigan will just not be the same. Godspeed Robert
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Deborah Lovett I am so very sorry to hear of your dad’s death. He was a pretty incredible person and clearly successful lawyer. I have lots of great stories that I can share another time. As a lawyer appearing before him as a judge he always cut to the chase, which I appreciated, and was kind to me, which I am grateful for. He left quite a legacy and I am so happy he gets to be with his life partner and high school sweetheart Cory. Quite a perfect couple. Thinking of you all and wishing my condolences. Deborah K. Lovett KC
Robert was truly the finest gentleman one could make and serve pancakes to. I am honoured to have had such a privilege, and to have gotten to know both him and Cory through playing soccer with Luca, as well as during their time at Berwick. Robert will remain in my thoughts as I finish reading the book written by his father, which he generously gifted me a few years ago. My most sincere condolences to the whole family.
Jasper