Robert Bristow STROTHER

1938 - 2022

ROBERT BRISTOW STROTHER 1938 - 2022 Robert "Bob" Strother passed away peacefully on December 28, 2022. A man of great character and humour, kind and intuitive, with a sharp mind and a gift for storytelling, Bob will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, dad and grandpa, as well as a beloved friend and respected colleague. Bob will be dearly missed by his wife, Yvonne; his two daughters, Sheryl (Edward Iacobucci) and Sarah (John Legg); his four grandchildren, Claire, Kate, Rowland and Thomas; his brother, Boone (Donna), and all of the extended Strother family. He was predeceased by older brothers, Ted (Mavis) and Art (Gerry). Bob was born and raised in Vernon, B.C., the third son of J.G. and Olive Strother. He went to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver to study economics, following which he moved to Nanaimo to begin a rewarding 45 year career in the forest products industry. In Nanaimo, he had the good fortune of meeting his bride and partner for life, Yvonne. In 1965, they moved to Vancouver, married, and started their family. Bob spent five years in the investment business at Pemberton Securities, and then returned to the forestry business, moving the family to MacMillan Bloedel's operations in Saint John, New Brunswick. After seven years in the Maritimes, they made a final move and settled in Oakville, Ontario. It was there that Bob spent the majority of his career working in Toronto as a senior executive at Noranda Forest (Norbord). He was engaged by current events of all types and an avid consumer of news, often reading several newspapers before breakfast. He had an amazing curiosity, which he combined with a steel trap for facts and trivia. He was an entertaining raconteur and loved regaling family and grandchildren with tales of his youth in the Okanagan. Bob took great pleasure in good food and wine; a keen interest in cars of all kinds; and a passion for music, particularly jazz. He started playing the trumpet as a teenager, had his own band during his time in university and always relished sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for music. Bob grew up on the lake and was an avid swimmer into his 80's. Bob and Yvonne travelled throughout their life together, whether it be for business, visiting family or exploring the world with close friends in their retirement. But Bob most loved his home in Oakville, where he and Yvonne spent many hours relaxing in the backyard, hosting family and friends. Bob lived with ALS in his final months, approaching it with the level-headedness and dignity that he had demonstrated throughout his life. He will be remembered with so much love for his positive spirit, kind heart and wonderful sense of humour. Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Canada.