It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of (Bob) Robert William Howrie at St. Mary’s Hospital on January 11, 2012. He leaves behind a wonderful group of family and friends who all attest that: “Bob is a nice man, a true gentleman.”
Bob is survived by his wife of 20 years, Janna (Steenbergen). They enjoyed their life together and all their adventures. He has cared selflessly for her during her illness these last few years. Bob leaves three children, Donna (Stan) Laidlaw, from Tsawwassen, BC, Diane (Jim) Eade from Steveston, BC and Wayne (Anne) Howrie from North Delta, BC as well as his wife’s children Rolf (Lois) of Burnaby, Garrett (Merle) of Lacombe, AB, and Ed from Gibsons. He will be remembered by his five grandkids, their husbands and wives, five great-grandkids, and four great-great-grandkids, his step-grandsons and their wives and partners and children. Bob also leaves many family and friends from Richmond, the Sunshine Coast, the Orkney Islands, the Netherlands and Australia.
Son of David and Ellen Howrie of Vernon, Bob was born in Merritt, BC on March 26, 1922. He spent his childhood in Vernon and married his childhood sweetheart Bernice Hunter in 1943. The Royal Air Force posted them to the east coast where he was assigned to perform his passion, repairing aircraft as an aircraft maintenance engineer. Bob and Bernice spent 13 years in Calgary and in 1964 moved the three kids to Richmond, BC, where he went on to a life-long career with the airline. He was well liked at CPAir and his input to the engineering department was greatly appreciated.
Bob has lived full time in Sechelt since 1983, after falling in love with the Coast when he and Bernie bought a cabin in Davis Bay in 1972 and then a home on the water in West Sechelt. He loved tinkering around the yard and getting out fishing, but always blamed the seals for stealing his salmon. “It’s the darnedest thing!” he would say. After several years of enjoying retirement with his family including travels, camping and square dancing, Bob lost his loving wife Bernice in 1990. Life did go on and he spent the last 20 years with Janna. He enjoyed getting to know her children and families both near and far.
He has been involved in the Country Stars Square and Round Dance Club, the Legion, the Quarter Century Aviation Club and the strata of Port Stalashen, as well as camping throughout BC is his luxury tiny Big Foot camper.
While Bob requested no service, his family would love to have a thank you gathering on March 25, 2012, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm at the Port Stalashen Clubhouse, 1585 Field Road, Port Stalashen, Wilson Creek.