ROBERT (BOB) ALLAN
January 25, 1940 – June 5, 2021
It is with deep sadness that we say good-bye to our dear Bob – husband, father,
grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Predeceased by his first wife
Dorothy Hambly, he will be greatly missed by his remaining family: his beloved wife, Lynn;
sons, stepsons and daughters-in-law – Bill and Laura, Gary and Alison, Dave and Lisa,
Jamie and Hannah, Matthew and Caroline; plus twelve wonderful grandchildren.
He will also be missed by his sister, Marg Howe, nieces Kathryn and Laura,
cousin Sue Mavinic as well as members of the Lerbinger and Hambly and Allworth families.
His family was the most meaningful part of Bob’s life, both in the enjoyment it gave
and his interest in guiding and helping his children and grandchildren find satisfying
and rewarding paths. Through Scouts, camping, canoeing, and curling Bob spent
many enjoyable hours with his boys as they grew. And later, both his stepsons and his
grandchildren were the beneficiaries of his genuine interest and love.
Bob took a leadership role in the 1 st Thornhill Scout troop of which all three boys were
members. He encouraged the troop members to learn new skills and organized many
a camping trip to try out those skills. The highlight of his scouting was taking a group
of 16 Scouts to Cameron River, NWT for a canoeing Jamboree in July 1982.
For most of his adult life the sport of curling was a favorite pastime for Bob. He enjoyed
the challenge and camaraderie of the sport first at the Thornhill Golf Club where Dorothy
and the Allan boys also curled. He was proud of his sons’ skill at the game. He served on
the Curling Board of Directors at the club and was OCA rep for Zone 7 for many years.
When Bob moved from Thornhill to the country in Caledon, he had the opportunity
to join the Orangeville Curling Club and found rewarding new friendships amongst
the curlers in the Thursday morning jitney league.
Bob pursued both undergraduate and graduate work at McMaster University,
graduating with a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1967. The previous year he had joined
the faculty at newly-launched York University to help build a science program.
From 1972 to 1982 he served as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Science
and he was a member of the York University Senate for many years while teaching
introductory-level, and 3 rd year intro biochemistry courses. A particular delight for
him was the organization and running of two Canada-wide Summer Science
programs for 35 of Canada’s brightest and best science and math students, held
at York and Lakefield College School in Peterborough in 1969 and 1970.
During his entire university career, Bob enjoyed contributing, with his
administrative mindset, to the betterment of the University.
Bob leaves behind many long-standing friends. He so appreciated their faithful
support during his illness with cancer. Our grateful thanks to all who have kept
us in their thoughts and prayers. We are also grateful to those in the medical
profession who have given their kindness and exemplary care. To all
Bob would say “Thank you and Fare thee well”.
In lieu of flowers, please consider spreading kindness to a charity of your choice
or to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. A tree will be planted in Bob’s memory in the
Dods McNair memorial forest in the Island Lake Conservation Area.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Allan Saturday June 5th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Orangeville, Province: Ontario