TOCHER, Robert Leslie
TOCHER, Robert Leslie (Bob). It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Bob Tocher on Friday, May 21, 2010. Bob displayed his characteristic courage and quiet tenacity throughout his long battle with Parkinsons and lung disease. Predeceased by his parents Sarah Eunice and Robert Douglas Tocher, his sister Annie Gibbons, his brother Donald and his first wife Jean. Left to mourn are his beloved wife and best friend of 19 years Esther, devoted daughters Leslie (Jim) Cage, Debbie Turner (Darryl Lengyel), Carole (Iain) McClymont and Noretta (Gerry) Abele, his cherished grandchildren, Rob and Jerry Turner; Dustin, Cora (Anthony) Lee and Carole Abele; Lucinda (Derek) Heck and Jaime (Mark) Woods, and treasured great-grandchildren Aiden Heck and Alex Woods. He will also be fondly remembered by Esther’s children Fred (Jackie) Tolsdorf, Karleen Straat (Chico Rodriguez), Ken (Donna) Tolsdorf.
Bob was born in Winnipeg on January 22, 1926 and spent his working life in the oil business, supervising drilling rig operations around the world - including Australia, Gabon, Tunisia, Iran, Russia, the Philippines and the Arctic Circle. After many years with Westburne and Commonwealth Drilling as well as his own company, Baron Drilling, Bob retired to Campbell River, BC to pursue his other passions - boating and fishing, but was still periodically lured back to the oilpatch for consulting and contract work. Bob was also a proud member of Shriners International
The family extends their sincere appreciation to the caring staff of the Evergreen Seniors Home, the Campbell River Hospital and especially Dr. Arnold for their compassionate care of Bob during his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children (www.shrinershq.org), or the BC Lung Assoc. (www.bclung.ca). A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010, 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Masonic Lodge, 2905 Island Hwy., Campbell River, BC.