September 18, 1938 - January 26, 2017
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Robert (Bob) James Vowles announces his passing. He leaves behind to mourn his wife of 53 years, Coleen, son Andrew (Charlie), daughters Shannon (Olaf Koerner) and Denise (Warren Biegler), his grandchildren Woody, Madelin and Bronsen Vowles, Ivo Koerner, Jasmine, Julianne, Ashlynn and Claire Biegler, sister Kay Bruner, two nieces Judy and Carol, sister-in-law Linda Fahey and nephew Robert Fahey.
Born in Victoria, Bob graduated from Mount View High where he was Student Council president. He moved to Vancouver at age 17, working as a computer analyst while also attending UBC to complete his degree in Computer Science. It was there in 1963 that he met and married Coleen. After some years in Burnaby where all three children were born, the family moved to Crescent Beach and lived there for 23 years. After many years with BC Forest Products, Bob and the family moved to Campbell River in 1988 where he was the Senior Systems Analyst at Elk Falls Mill until his retirement.
Bob had many talents and interests. An avid do-it-yourselfer, he completed many renovations in their various homes. Still, he maintained that if something wasn’t broke, don’t try to fix it! He puttered in his yard, enjoyed his garden and made some pretty good wine. An enthusiastic and skilled fisherman, he enjoyed an annual trip to Critter Cove on the West Coast with Coleen and other family members (including his grandson, Woody this last year), usually managing to bring home his share of salmon, if not more! For many years, he and Coleen enjoyed the sun in Mazatlan, always looking forward to this annual month-long vacation. Devoted to his family, he particularly enjoyed his grandchildren, doing his share of baby-sitting and chauffeuring them to the countless activities in which children are in involved.
A kind and gentle soul, Bob loved people. You couldn’t really know Bob without liking him. He was a caring, generous man who would give you “the shirt off his back,” if required. His electrical expertise in particular proved useful, not only for his own projects, but many other people’s as well. He stayed current on politics, the economy and world affairs. Whether at work or at home, “budget” was a favourite topic and “checks and balances” were important to keep things under control!
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on February 4, 2017 at 2:00pm in the Royal Coachman Carriage Room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.