Robert Noble, 87, of Victoria British Columbia, peacefully passed away on May 14, 2025.
Robert was born on December 21,1937, to John Todd and Gertrude Isabella Noble in Victoria. After Robert graduated from Mount Douglas High School in 1955, he went on to study civil engineering at the University of British Columbia.
After graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering, he started his first job with Willis Cunliffe Tait as an Engineer designing parts of the Alaska Highway from Ft. St. John to Dawson Creek. Robert worked with Willis Cunliffe Tait for 31 years before venturing on a journey to Indonesia where he spent three years completing a road from Banda Aceh to Calang. In 1992, upon his return from Indonesia, Robert left the consulting business and became general manager of Victoria Highways and Maintenance where he worked for several years before creating a new partnership; Victoria Contracting. Robert finally retired at the age of 70, although still consulted with the company until age 75.
In the summer of 1958, Don Hamilton introduced Robert to Julie Ann Beecroft at Stelck’s Hardware Store on the corner of Hillside and Quadra. Robert and Julie were married for 65 years and went on to have three children: Ross, John and Trudean.
In 1992, Robert and Julie purchased a piece of property on Piers Island where they spent 32 years enjoying their time with their family and friends.
Robert is survived by his wife Julie, children, Ross (Shannon), John (Annette) and Trudean (Michael Knight); grandchildren, Tasha (Conrad), Kyle (Bev), Jordan (Joanne), Teryl (Nico), Joshua (Kelsey), and Georgia; great grandchildren, Quinn, Ellie, Eva, Olivia and Bowen; and sisters Sally (Alan Stonehouse), and Anne (Roger Gudbranson)
A quote from one his grandchildren says it all. “You are and have always been the rock of our family. You continue to inspire us every day. Because of you and grandma, your Christmas lights shine bright with your love.”
A heart felt thank you goes out to Victoria Hospice and to Leanne for your care and kindness in dad’s final days.
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 1:00 pm, a Celebration of Life will be held in Building 21 at Camosun College (Interurban Campus) Trades Center building, 4461 Interurban Road. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Guests are encouraged to use parking lot P2. Parking is free in P2 as it has been reserved for the celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert and Julie Noble endowed bursary at Camosun College that assist students in financial need.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Noble” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
22 Responses
Lovely to read of all Robert’s accomplishments with Julie and their travels around the world. Remember hearing of the adventures from Indonesia when Ross and Shannon took Jordan to visit. Joanne and I had the pleasure of visiting Piers Island and enjoying Robert and Julie’s hospitality. Early in our marriage with our three girls at one end of Ball Place in Fort McMurray and Ross and Shannon with their family at the other end, Robert and Julie’s visits gave our family a chance to experience Robert’s calm and gentle “grandparenting”. What a generous and caring example Robert set for all. Truly an honor to have spent precious time with your Dad.
Mark & Joanne
Julie, Ross, John, Trudean and all the other members of the Noble family-Robert was simply one of the best and so very loved. It was a fortuitous day indeed when the Bastins moved next door to the Nobles, and our decades long friendship began. Robert will be so missed. Love to you all.❤️
To the Noble Family,
Sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was so calm and patient as I watched him parent you all. I appreciated how he took an interest in us, your neighbours, always game to hear what we were up to, right up to the end! I have many memories of the neighbourhood gatherings and your Dad had a quiet strong presence, a great sense of humour, and I loved watching him jive with your Mom! He was a lovely person. He will be missed.
TO- ROBERT’S FAMILY.
You kids were very young when we all lived in Terrace so perhaps you don’t have too many memories of those days ( except for Ross??). I just want you to know that your folks were the best thing that happened to us during those years. A young town and young families who knew how to make our own fun. I fondly remember all the meals/B.B.Q.’S/ Lake frolics/ hunts in the snow for a Christmas tree/ all the great dances in the old Community Hall- so many precious memories and I am so grateful that we got to share them with our dearest friends. Your Dad and my husband, Bill enjoyed some great fishing/ hunting trips and always had hilarious tales of the “one’s that got away” -fish or moose!
Your folks were so proud of ALL their family – hold on to all your own happy memories and be comforted by them. Love to you all – Lillian Milton
Julie and family,
I was saddened to see that Bob has passed away and wanted to express my sympathy as well as add my memories. My Dad (Doug Willis) admired and respected Bob, depending on him, not just as a colleague in road building (etc.), but also benefited in Bob’s keen interest in the CTAA (Canadian Technical Asphalt Association).
I was especially glad I knew about this via my father’s conversations over the years.
In writing up a biography for UBC archives on my Dad’s early days of BC road building, I was so ably assisted by Bob when adding CTAA information. I am still very grateful for Bob’s contribution in identifying some of the people in conference and workplace photographs, now held at the archives. My greatest regret is in not being able to meet you personally and renew my acquaintance with Bob in person during this collaboration due to the pandemic restrictions. I send my heartfelt regards.
John and family please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Robert. I had the pleasure of sitting with him at a couple of the Victoria Sportsman lunches.
Please accept my deepest condolences to the family with Robert’s passing. I will never forget Robert and Julie’s kindness to me in letting me stay at their place every month as Julie and I attended the monthly meetings for the Victoria Floral Artists Guild. We had lots of conversations, laughs and great friendship. Robert fought a long battle with his cancer and thankfully his suffering is over, but wonderful memories of his life will live on for the rest of us. It was great knowing you Robert!
Farewell dear Robert. A true friend and travelling companion We met you in Indonesia and visited so many different countries all over the world. We enjoyed visits to your home and you visited us in England. Definitely a friendship that stood the test of residing in different countries. A pleasure to call you our friend.
Love Bryan and Gillian x
Sending condolences to the Noble family. I feel truly grateful to have spent time with Robert throughout the years. He was a truly kind man who walked this life with purpose and a deep sense of love for his family. He will be missed! ♥️
My dear cousins,
We loved Uncle Robert’s humour, kindness and generosity. He was energetic, hard working and cooked awesome pancakes. We admired his contributions to Piers Island, his walking group and so many other places and people. We will be sorely missed.