BLAIR, ROBERT MELVIN GORDON - Regimental No. 23783 - February 4, 2012 - Calgary, Alberta Age: 66 - Robert (Bob) Blair joined the RCMP on January 7, 1965 at the age of 20 after completing high school at Rothesay Collegiate, in New Brunswick. Bobby, as he was known growing up, was born and raised in Bathurst, New Brunswick. Upon completion of his basic training in Regina, Bob began his policing career in Vancouver, BC. Bob was then trained and worked in Forensic Identification Training and Techniques (‘Ident’) in Sydney, Nova Scotia and Happy Valley/Goose Bay, Labrador where he was promoted to Corporal in 1976. He then became the Composite Sketch Artist in Victoria BC, where he received his promotion to Sergeant in 1978. It was there that he found a place as the President of the Officer’s ‘Mess’ Hall. Bob loved spending time with the other Members and was in his element while managing the Mess. Bob had a brief stint in North Vancouver as the NCO in charge of the City Traffic Division before accepting a position in Ottawa as a Team leader in the Prime Minister’s Protection Detail. He spent 8 years protecting various PM’s and their families from 1988 to 1996. Bob moved back out West in 1996 to accept the role of NCO in Charge and eventually Watch Commander of Red Deer City Traffic Division. Sergeant Robert Blair’s contribution to the RCMP and to Canadians was formally recognized in April 2000 when he was awarded the RCMP Gold Clasp and Stars for Long Service and Good Conduct. Bob retired from the force in 2002 after 37 years. Bob suffered a stroke that left him incapable of living on his own any longer. He was admitted to the Bow Crest Care Home in Calgary where he lived under the fantastic care of the staff at that facility up until the end. Bob had also suffered from dementia as well as diabetes. Despite becoming quite weak toward the end, Bob never lost his feisty spirit and his unique way of touching people’s hearts. Robert is survived by two sisters, Donna (Peter) Gummer and Janet (David) Millar, two daughters, Laura (Peter) Christie, Kimberly (Brad) Aelicks, and a son, Donald (Linda) Blair, and five grandchildren, Natasha and Ben Aelicks, Emma Christie, and Dani and Erik Blair. He was predeceased by his father, Donald Blair in 1947 and his mother, Edna in 2006.
A private Memorial Service will be held at ‘Depot’ Division in Regina, SK. As Bob was a fanatic Vancouver Canuck fan and the recipient of amazing palliative care, we ask that in lieu of flowers an Honour/Memory Donation may be made to Canuck Place- (https://payment.csfm.com/donations/canuck_place/donate/)