Roger J. Bishop

May 10, 1916 - March 30, 2016

Roger Bishop was the first (and, he would emphasize, only) Head of the English Department at the University of Victoria, the establishment of which he foresaw, from his eyrie in Craigdarroch Castle, at that time the location of Victoria College, where he began teaching in 1941, and within sight of which he passed his last days. His death, 41 days short of his 100th birthday, marks the end of an era.

Born in Vancouver, Roger resisted all attempts to wean him away from the West Coast, and bent his efforts to establish a Department which would excel in teaching, as he did himself, and inspire students with a lifelong love of literature. The embryonic Theatre Department grew out of his eagerness to provide them with live drama, and his contribution is recognized in the name of one of the Phoenix theatres. He also laboured to ensure that the McPherson Library possessed a book collection worthy of the University's distinguished future.

Roger and his wife Ailsa, who died in 1994, were famous for their hospitality. The Department was their family, and their warmth and generosity were legendary. Later Roger set up the Ailsa and Roger Bishop bursary for promising students in the English Department.

As a boy, Roger had no expectation of further education, and one of the seminal moments of his life was when his father asked if he would like to go to university. He jumped at the chance, and graduated from UBC in 1938 with first-class honours. But he did not write a book and had no desire to be a scholar, although his enquiring mind, omnivorous reading, capacious memory and amazing powers of recall amply qualified him.

Larger than life, for which he had a great appetite, Roger took a keen delight in upsetting apple carts, and aroused both antipathy and affection. He was peremptory, abrasive, witty, with an inexhaustible fund of quotations, and a warm, hiccupping laugh which he was quite happy to direct against himself. His love of a good argument and hatred of cant ensured no lack of confrontations, but he was intensely loyal to those he loved, and they to him.

In retirement he went on giving parties, walked miles, hauled seaweed, visited five out of six continents, followed the stock markets avidly, and faithfully attended a tri-weekly coffee klatch on Oak Bay Avenue. His pride in the University of Victoria ran deep, and his great good fortune to live in this country, this province and this city gave him constant satisfaction.

He is survived by three of his four nephews, their families, and a host of friends, including many old students who loved his classes and remember him still.

For his 90th birthday Roger gave a Wake-Awake party. The real Wake, to celebrate his life and his 100th birthday, will take place on Saturday 14 May, at noon in the Fireside Lounge of the University Club.