January 22, 1927 – January 23, 2015
After a celebration of his 88th birthday, Bob passed away peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. His family was with him and he shared many happy memories with them.
He will be missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Marion (Meikle) and his children, Margot (David Moore), Andi (Cary McWhinnie) and Rob McLaren. A wonderful grandfather to Kirsten Marten (Jeremy), Graeme Moore (Erin), Krista McWhinnie (Owen Glossop), Kyle and Kevin McWhinnie and great-grandfather to Saul and Luke Marten, Addison and Logan Moore and Samantha and Alistair Glossop. He is also survived by his brother, John McLaren and his sisters, Daphne Allen and Diane McLaren.
He loved his country and served it well – working in various government departments and served overseas as Canada’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles, Ambassador to Somalia, Madagascar, Comoros, High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ambassador to Mozambique, Angola and Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The family would like to thank Dr. Schachter and the nurses on the renal floor and P.D. nurses for their attentive and caring care at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 2nd at 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria B.C. A reception will follow at the Union Club of British Columbia. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
21 Responses
Our thoughts are with you Aunt Marni and cousins Rob, Andi and Margot, from the Campbell-Homola’s in Edmonton (Shelagh, Bob, Ellen and Caelin). Very glad to have had several good visits with Uncle Bob in these past few years. A life well lived.
My wife and I mourn the passing of Bob who was an exemplary leader and equally a good companion during our time together in Dar es Salaam (1977-78). Our thoughts are with the family, especially Marnie, who shared so well maintaining morale and cohesion of all the staff and representing the country to our hosts. My colleagues and I benefited from his counsel and direction in all our activities and we shall keep him in our hearts and memories. .
Ted and Jennifer Johnston
Margot, it was with sadness that we learned of the passing of your father. Our heartfelt condolences to you and David and your family during this time of loss. What a wonderful life for you all to celebrate. You are in our thoughts.
Your friends and colleagues at the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
I feel fortunate to have gone on a CIIA study tour of Southern Africa where Bob was our very diligent resource person. We learned so much. Afterward, I enjoyed seeing Bob at conferences and hearing about what he was doing overseas and in sunny Victoria.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
We wish to express our sincere sympathy to Marion and family
Bob was a power of example for all of us with that upbeat,positive attitude he maintained in spite of his many health problems
Berny and Les McWhinnie
From all the McLarens here in Vancouver, our condolences to all of you. Rest in peace to my grand uncle Bob. Lovingly, Patrick McLaren.
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy and a prayer that the sadness of his passing may be eased by the warmth of family and a lifetime of cherished memories.
Kevin & Paula McWhinnie & family
May you find comfort and peace in the company of each other as you celebrate the incredible life of your beloved Robert. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Kathy & Don Matheson & family
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
The Peacock Family
Deepest condolences on the passing of a memorable and loved man. I hope the McLaren family can find strength in each other to get through this time.
Mike Levin and Victoria Sunderland