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The family of Robert (Bob) William Douglas are sad to share that their beloved passed away on Dec. 28th, 2018. Surrounded by his loving family, Bob died of pneumonia at the extended care facility of the Victorian Community Health Centre in Kaslo, BC at the age of 81.
Bob was born March 6, 1937 in Kingston Ontario to Henry Douglas and his wife Jean (Campbell). Bob grew up in Rossland BC with his three siblings: Jean (Tiger Milburn), Sandy (Ila Douglas) and Marion (Raulston) of Trail, BC. He graduated from Rossland High School in 1955, followed by Grade 13 in Trail BC. He received his degree in Education in 1960 after attending Victoria College for one year and the University of BC for three. Bob taught in Rossland for one year, followed by six years in Edgewater, BC before coming to Kaslo with his young family to teach and serve as the Vice-Principal in 1967, a post he held for 27 years. For many years Bob served on the executive of the Kootenay Lake Teachers Association and acted as the area rep to the BC Teachers Federation.
Bob met his wife Barbara Rose Burk on a blind date in 1959 in Calgary, Alberta. They raised their family of four children in Kaslo: Bryan MacMillan (Liz Ross), Laura Douglas (Chris Bostwick), Cathie Douglas (Larry Moore) and David Douglas, and eight grandchildren: Melanie and Nicholas MacMillan, Kevin John, Douglas and Conrad Watt, Wyatt, Cody and Cole Halleran and one great-grandchild and one great-great grandchild: Ashleigh Gagnon and her daughter Taylor. Bob is predeceased by his parents, his grandson Cole Carter Halleran (2000) and his sister Marion Woodbridge Raulston (2018).
To say Bob was an active member of his community is an understatement. He gravitated to positions of leadership in every group he joined. He served in the Kinsmen club starting in 1969 and was awarded a lifetime membership in 1980 for his contributions. The club devoted many hours to community projects – including maintenance of the Scout Hall, purchase and installation of playground equipment for the park, running May Days, and construction of the Ice Arena, Abby Manor and the Tennis Courts. Bob served the Kaslo Historical Society and was on the Kaslo Hospital board for 20 years. He acted as a coach and a referee for Minor Hockey and coached many girls’ basketball teams. Bob was an accomplished bagpiper, playing in many bands including The Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Calgary Highlanders and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He played for many community events including graduations, weddings, parades and funerals. Bob was on the executive of the Kaslo Riding Club and an active member of the Curling Club. After his retirement, Bob acted as Village Councillor for two terms and served for one term as Regional District of Central Kootenay rep and Mayor for the Village of Kaslo.
He and his wife enjoyed learning horsemanship and caring for their horses. They spent many hours riding in the arena and on the local trails and organizing the yearly horse show. They enjoyed camping, canoeing and having fun with friends. Bob loved spending time with his grandchildren – taking them riding, knitting them sweaters, telling them stories and basically letting them know they were well loved. By his family, colleagues and community he is fondly remembered as a humanitarian with a wonderful sense of humour. As Bob might say, “It’s time to go feed the horses”. A ceremony to celebrate Bob’s life will be held in the spring.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Douglas Robert William Bob Date of Death:
December 28 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Nelson, Province: Colombie britanique