Robert died at 88, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, on May 26 2023. He was peaceful and comfortable at the end, surrounded by his loving wife Maureen and two daughters, Konia (Dawn and son Jordi) and Lycia. He was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland, and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1970 with his young family. As an architect, he held a long position at Public Works Canada, but also designed and completed many home renovations. He and Maureen were life-long swimmers, and married in 1963. In his retirement, he pursued his love of the arts, the outdoors and exercise. He sang in various choirs and produced daily sketches of life around him. He and Maureen travelled the world extensively and settled in Sooke in 2011, joining the walking group and re-discovering his love of cycling. He is predeceased by his parents, Wakefield and Dora Jane. He is survived in the UK by his brother Thomas (Zillah) and their 3 children; Tom Jr (Dorothy and children), David (Sally and daughters) and Samantha (Andy) among other dear relatives. A joyful and easy disposition, he connected well with others from all walks of life and will be sorely missed, particularly at their home at Minton House, Cook Street Village, Victoria. His life’s richly intellectual, cultural and artistic musings were developed into a book entitled A View from Here which was submitted to the publisher on the day of his death. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 2:00 pm, in the Sequoia Centre, McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
Condolences to the family may be offered below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
59 Responses
Dear Konia,
It was with sadness that I read your Dad’s obituary. I met him a few times while you and I were at school together. As a boarder, I fondly remember your parents inviting a few of us to your house in Grade 10 for dinner/dessert(?) and I can still picture your living room, and recall an extraordinary structure in the back yard, a la BF, of whom I knew nothing at the time! I was intrigued as your father was an architect, and I had long thought of that as a career. And when it came to career interviews, I wrote up my questions for your Dad to answer, which he did with great thought and sincerity. Oh my gosh, the passage of time. But some memories just stay with us, having made such an impression for whatever reason. When I think of you, Konia, and your Dad, two attributes – “kind” and “gentle” – come to mind. Hugs and love to you, your sister and Mum at this very difficult time.
Lycia, I offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your Mom. I know my sister Gerry looked on your Dad as a second father and time spent with your family was always restorative for her. My best wishes for you during this difficult time.
Dear Maureen, Konia & Lycia,
It was heart breaking to hear about this sad news about Bob’s passing. May his soul rest in peace. May god bring strength and healing to the family. Thinking of you and your family.
It was kinda special, on your first Fatherless Father’s Day, to be able to look at the sketches that your Dad drew over time. .and thanks for sharing. Hope you and your Mom had a good time at the Minton House [Mintonhouse.ca] Barbeque Dad’s day dinner, after what was — I’m sure — a hard few weeks..Trust me, missing your Dad will get better with time…
Thanks, also, for the teatowel with the print of your father’s sketch of the QV statue, with her Golden Orb, at Parliament, Victoria, BC – our local site (although I knew that he drew her statues, — en plein air or “in -situ” — in many places around the globe )!
Trudy and Wolfgang Isken, Fairfield, Victoria, B.C., Canada (B. Germany)
Dear Maureen and Lycia,
I am greatly saddened by the passing of Mr. Robert Trouton who was a noble gentleman.
Bob’s beautiful spirit helped me tremendously after Korea. I shall always treasure my memories of riding up to UBC to swim, of once biking in Pacific Spirit Park/forest.
One Saturday we had a magnificent bike ride on an old road to see the log jam in the Fraser River!
Maureen & Lycia, thank you for your precious gift of friendship.
Gerry/Chong Do
Bob was pretty great. When I met him the first time Bob was very interested to go exploring things on the internet, and when I talked about travel ( for example) , I was pleased he was so amazed to see my place of birth and it’s architecture; I was very happy that day which I cannot forget in my life ( due to my recent immigration to Canada); so it was very sad to hear of his passing. He was a great man and I know he’s not here, now, but he’s in our hearts and always be there. Deependra Shekhawat / Ajmer (Rajasthan) RN, India.
Dear Maureen, Lycia and family
Sorry to hear about this sad news about Bob’s passing. Totally unexpected. It’s hard to imagine that I have known him for more than 20 years! Time flies so fast, and unfortunately passing of loved ones is a reminder of it. Bob was definitely a unique character. An observer with a spirit of an explorer, and a hunger of a young soul. As an artist, I really appreciated his skill and the persistence with which he continued documenting visited places with his sketches.
As with most things in life, there is time to cherish memories and keep on living. While hard to ignore sadness, I bet Bob’s wishes would be for You to keep enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to another day. A crazy adventure this life is, so in the same spirit I wish you to continue exploring and celebrating it.
All the best, and my condolences again.
Stan
Thanks Lycia for your phone call this morning.
I and my whole family is very sad to know that uncle Bob is no more! I have known Bob since 1975 when we registered as architects in this Province of British Columbia. Pushpanjli and my daughters Kavita and Amita grew up knowing Bob as Uncle Bob. We got together every now and then at his home or mine and shared so much more than delicious food. I have been trying to find Bob’s contact number lately particularly at last Christmas time. As architects we shared so much together. Individually and socially we shared lot more. I am so blessed to have him as a friend and colleague. I am glad now we got the information about Maureen and your contact numbers. We all will miss Bob always. Will talk to Maureen soon. Thanks again for letting us know about Bob’s passing away. May God bless his soul!
Gurdarshan Singh Matharoo
Thanks [for the telephone call] Lycia and Maureen,
I am awe-struck to read the details of your life-long achievements. You have been a “truly compatible” daughter of Bob – I am so proud of you, [Maureen] and your family. I learnt some of it from Bob; now understand the magnitude of your talents – .
God bless,
Ranjit Dhar, Toronto, Ontario.
formerly with Public Works Canada and with other professional organisations which RWT was involved : 1970s – 90s
Harry and Pat Deaney
Dear Maureen, Konia and Lycia
Such terribly sad news. We have many fond memories as you know, going back to those heady days of the fifties and sixties. When I first met Bob exactly seventy years ago at Art College forging our careers, he was indeed someone special and remained so. Bob was no one else but Bob. How could Pat, in hospital with Maureen both having given birth (David and Konia), ever forget Bob’s unique movie making skills on filming this triumphant event – after an operation, no question of make up or indeed any preparation for this movie; changing film roll in the “darkroom” under Pat’s bedclothes. I don’t know if Maureen remembers Bob’s name for David. Sholto.
He resolutely never failed to pay us a visit whenever he was on a trip “back home”, always followed by a pictorial memoir, and he also appreciated memories of our fellow students and field trips.
Following the shock of your phone call today, I have to recount what happened just yesterday. I was searching for some notes which I had mislaid, and came across a box stuffed tight with about 200 photographs. I pulled on the pile and the first photo that fell out was of Bob, Pat and me taken in the Chelsea Bar when he was last here. Makes you think.
He will indeed be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with you all at this sad moment of his passing.
Love Harry and Pat