Bob Rowledge

November 27, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with profound sadness that the Rowledge family announces the passing of its guiding light, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and the community has lost one of its most dedicated and hard-working citizens. Bob passed away peacefully at Nanaimo Seniors Village on November 27, 2023 at the age of 95. Left to cherish his memory, his wife Dorothy of 69 years, his son Grant and wife Yvette of Surrey, and son Ross of Nanaimo, his granddaughter Lyse Leon (Simon), granddaughter Kathryn Poulin (Joseph), and four great-grandchildren, Isobel, Amalia, Rosen and Mylo. He was predeceased by his brothers, James and Alvin, and sisters, Lillian Bergman and Jean Pearson. Brother Russel of Pincher Creek, Alberta, survives.
Bob was born in Erskine, Alberta, where he lived until his early teens. His future career began to emerge early in life. As a young teenager, he kept books for his dad, who was a cattle buyer. In 1944, his father moved his family initially to Vernon and then on to Nanaimo, where he felt there were greater opportunities for them. Upon graduation from John Shaw High School, Bob did some accounting and general work for Acme Motors (a Chrysler dealership).
In 1953, he joined the City of Nanaimo as a cashier, becoming treasurer/collector in 1960. Upon joining the City, he completed a six-year programme by correspondence from the University of British Columbia, receiving Professional Administrator certification. He was accepted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries (F.C.I.S.), an international professional organization of executive administrators. When the various regions of the City amalgamated in 1975, he was appointed Director of Finance. In this management position, Bob was responsible for all financial operations, including budget preparation, City investments and borrowing.
In his time at City Hall, he became aware that a number of hard-working non-profit groups were in need of a treasurer or auditor, and so he began volunteering his time to a variety of worthwhile causes. He often quoted his father’s philosophy “that one must put back into the community some of the goodness you get out of it”. Bob began his life of community service with the Nanaimo Lions Club. As an active member, he chaired numerous projects over the next 68 years of which the annual Christmas Tree Chip-Up was one. He was very proud of two other major club initiatives that he co-chaired: the Lions Great Bridge, a pedestrian link that spans the Millstone River as part of the Harbourfront Walkway, and the Lions Pavilion in Maffeo-Sutton Park. These were financed through the sale of personalized bricks and plaques, respectively.
Bob’s contribution to the community was far reaching. During his lifetime, he has served as treasurer, auditor, or both on separate occasions for numerous non-profit boards including:
• the Nanaimo Lions Housing Society
• the Bastion Museum Society, where he was influential in obtaining funds for its restoration
• the Nanaimo Community Foundation
• the Nanaimo Curling Club
• St. Andrew’s United Church, of which he was also a long-serving Trustee
• Nanaimo Symphony Society
• Meals on Wheels
• Rid Roads of Impaired Drivers (RIDD)
• Family Life Association
• Nanaimo Probus Club
• The Upper Island Musical Festival (now Mid Island Performing Arts Festival)
• Nanaimo Seniors Curling Club
• Nanaimo Harbor-Lites Lioness Club
• Nanaimo Youth Choir
Upon his retirement in 1988, he was made a Freeman of the City – an honour of public esteem conferred upon persons with extensive records of service to the community. In 1992 he was named Citizen of the Year by the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. To mark the 125th Anniversary of its incorporation, the City recognized 125 citizens for their service, of which he was one. In 2000, he was one of seven citizens awarded the Queens Jubilee Medal for his many years of volunteerism.
His Honourary Life memberships include:
• Nanaimo Lions Club
• Municipal Officers of Vancouver Island
• Nanaimo Curling Club
• Greater Nanaimo Water Board (now dissolved)
Service Club recognitions:
• Lions International – Melvin Jones Award
• Lions Canada – Judge Brian Stevenson Award
• Rotary International – Paul Harris Fellowship
(Although not a Rotarian, the Club wished to recognize him for his many years of service to the community.)
Always keenly interested in sports, Bob played midget hockey, and continued his hockey career with the Nanaimo Clippers Senior A Hockey League, until it folded in 1950. For a number of years, he coached minor hockey. Curling was another activity which he enjoyed – running a Service Club League, and skipping a team for many years.
Despite his involvement with so many causes, Bob always made his family a priority. He was immensely proud of them and never missed an activity in which they were involved. He delighted in his grandchildren, and doted on his great-grandchildren. Bob was a loving and supportive husband to his wife, Dorothy during their long and happy marriage. Together they enjoyed many leisure activities. Boating in their small runabout and traveling throughout the country in their RV were yearly pastimes. They also enjoyed a number of world cruises, including a memorable one in which they missed the departing vessel in Curaçao and had to be picked-up and taken to the ship by the pilot boat, to the general amusement of their fellow passengers. Hawaii was their favourite relaxing spot for a month each winter.
Bob embraced each new day with enthusiasm, and enriched the lives of his family and friends with optimism, unfailing cheerfulness and a positive outlook. He was a consistent example of selfless dedication to the City he loved.
His was a life well lived.
We would like to thank Dr. Dodo for his kindness and compassion shown to Bob and our family.
There will be a Celebration of Life and reception at 2pm on Tuesday December 12, 2023 at St. Andrew’s United Church, Fitzwilliam and Wesley Streets in Nanaimo. For those who wish to donate in Bob’s name, please consider the Mid Island Performing Arts Festival, c/o Mrs. Mae Newsham, 2643 Beaver Creek Cresc., Nanaimo, BC, V9T 3K1 where the Bob and Dorothy Rowledge Bursary Fund will be set up. Alternatively, donations can be made to the St. Andrew’s United Church Building Fund, 315 Fitzwilliam Street, Nanaimo, V9R 3A6.
“Like the beauty of the passing seasons,
kind hearts leave the world a better place.”