It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn Rob’s passing at the age of 69 years in Victoria, B.C. on October 18, 2022 in the loving arms of his wife of 24 years Pamela Miller.
Rob was born December 30, 1952 in Edmonton, Alberta to parents Bob and Hilda Macklem. The memory and legacy of this amazing and caring man will be held by all who knew him and especially by his family. Daughter Heidi (Chris) Reiter, grandchildren Zachary and Zoey; his son Russell, granddaughter Georgia; sister Karen (Tom) Nicholson and brother Kelly (Sandy).
As a graduate of the University of Alberta, Rob’s career as a pharmacist spanned 36 years starting with McGill and Orme in 1974.
He had many hobbies that became passions. He was an accomplished action sports photographer, avid gardener, dog lover, hummingbird caretaker, a snowbird to Mexico for 10 winters and an adventurous world traveler. His lifelong passion and body of work was in the sport of Olympic weightlifting as a competitor and as an esteemed and respected coach. At his passing the motto on his t-shirt read “LIFT HEAVY FEAR NOTHING.” (Google Rob Macklem weightlifting).
Rob will be missed by all whose lives he touched and changed. A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2023.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Sharon Ham for assisting Rob and all frontline health care workers in the community and hospitals for their care, especially the doctors and nurses of Palliative Care.
Donations in his name can be made to any organization that promotes his passions.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
38 Responses
So sorry to hear of Rob’s passing. Know that we are thinking of you. Maria & Cal
Our thoughts are with you at such a sad time.
Please accept our sincerest condolences.
Wow – it hurts my soul to hear this news. Rob welcomed me into his weightlifting group and greatly advanced my lifting while I was training in Victoria for rowing. His influence on my training and sports mentality helped me leverage a place on the National Rowing Team. Rob is an inspiration to all that got to work with him. He eagerly helped beginners and athletes with high performance goals. You will be missed, Rob. I am grateful for the impact you had on me.. You are an inspiration. -Alyssa Weninger
Dear Pam,
Love and Memories Live Together
May they bring you peace.
Dearest Pam, our hearts are with you at this most difficult time. You were truly blessed to have shared those 24 wonderful years with the love of your life. Rob loved you from the moment he met you at Ogden Point. Thinking of you, sending love ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heartfelt condolences to Pam and the rest of Rob’s family. There are no words I can say that will take away your loss and pain Pam but know that thoughts of love are winding their way through the ether to you.
There were a few of us who started lifting weights in Grade 10 in Edmonton. Rob was a stand out in our little group and was always able to lift more than the rest. We hooked up a couple of years ago in Victoria after almost 50 years and shared a few funny memories, including our “one arm snatch” that nearly took out a few of us!!
Rob was the person who got me to pick up my camera again to get back into sports photography.. We always said hi to each other at a meet and he would always ask me why I wasn’t out there taking more photo. He was a true pioneer in this great sport of weightlifting both as a coach/mentor and as a weightlifting photographer.
Dear Pam,
So sorry to hear of your loss.Take care of yourself.We will talk when you have time.
All the Best,
Janie.
I didn’t know Rob well, but I saw him coaching during some of my lifting competitions. You can see from afar that he was an amazing person and had strong relationships with each of his athletes. And a great photographer of course. I’m sorry to hear of his passing and hope his wife and his family find strength during these challenging times.