Peacefully in his 88th year on December 22, 2022. Survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sondra (nee Ewart), children Laurel (John Craig), Shelley (Hugh Brown), and Duncan (Lisa Davies). Loved by his grandchildren Melanie and Jack Brown, Sam and Katherine Hall, and Ellen and David Archibald. Also survived by sister Marian Badgery (Alan) of Aurora and brother-in-law David Ewart (Vivian) of Calgary. Predeceased by his sisters Dorothy Hesser, Joan Reed, and brothers John and Frederick.
Bob was born April 6, 1935 in Oshawa, the fifth child of Arthur and Jean Archibald of Whitby, Ontario. He studied engineering at Queen’s University and earned a Masters of Business Administration at McMaster University in Hamilton where Bob and Sondra raised their family. He returned to full-time studies in Business Administration at the University of Western Ontario, completing his doctorate in 1976. He began his career in civil engineering at Archibald Gray & McKay in London, then spent six years in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with National Parks of Canada. Returning to Ontario, he worked in the cement industry. However, his true vocation was teaching and he held various positions including time in Dar es Salaam, the University of Guelph, and finally at Lakehead University.
In 2000, he retired to Brantford spending his time vigorously supporting the community, volunteering at the Brantford Hospital, the Brantford Club and the Board of Enterprise Brant. He was a member of Probus Club of Brantford and Brant Valley Engineers. Bob and Sondra loved to travel and especially enjoyed their visits to Scotland, the home of his ancestors, as members of the Clan Macpherson Association.
We wish to thank the staff at the Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford who were so kind to him. Cremation will take place followed by a private family ceremony. Donations to the Hospice, the Fraser Institute or the S.P.C.A.
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We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert William Archibald Thursday December 22nd 2022 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Death notice for the town of: , Province: Ontario
Dear Sondra and family my sincere condolences on your loss. Whilst my interaction with Bob was through the Clan Macpherson Association I had much admiration for him as a husband and family man, he was so proud of you all and I just loved his sense of humour. To this day I still chuckle when I think back to when he introduced Sondra to me as his ‘First Wife’ . 65 wonderful years of happy memories which I am sure will help you Sondra through the grieving process. Bob was Branch Secretary during my term as CMA Canadian Branch Chairman and did a wonderful job providing support at home and on a few overseas visits. I have so much respect for the way he carried out these duties. Cherish the memories of a well lived man.