ROBERT J. BURGAR, RPF

Bob passed away peacefully, with his family at his side at the Southlake Regional Health Centre on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the age of 91. Beloved husband and best friend of the late Elsie Burgar (nee Hill); loving father of Robert (Daphne) of Richmond Hill, Catherine of Aurora, and Aileen Gail (David) of Mono; devoted Grandpa of Taryn (Nigel) and Keelan; delighted Poppop of great-grandson, Remy; dear brother of the late Edward (Barbara); uncle to the late Eric (Maddalena), Heidi (Peter); and fondly remembered by relatives, his poker buddies (Board of Directors), 5T4 classmates, MNR lunch companions (Chowderheads) and other friends. Born and raised in Toronto, Bob was an accomplished sportsman in his youth, winning numerous awards, and began a 35-year association with Scouts Canada. Scouting introduced Bob to the outdoors and the importance of teamwork, which significantly impacted his future. Wishing to continue this relationship with the environment, Bob graduated from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto in 1954, worked briefly for McFadden Lumber, and had a long and successful career with the Department of Lands and Forest and the Ministry of Natural Resources, retiring as the Assistant Deputy Minister in 1990. Post-career, Bob was active with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association and the University of Toronto's Faculty of Forestry. He also continued to support the important work of the Ontario Conservation Authority program by serving with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Foundation. Bob's long service to these organizations has been recognized publicly by Scouts Canada, the OPFA, Conservation Ontario, and the University of Toronto. Bob admired Indigenous art and culture, was an avid reader with a lifelong passion for history and Canadian politics, travelled to far-off lands to explore on family trips to England, Scotland, Orkney, Belgium, the Baltic and Israel, and travelled solo to Egypt and China. In their retirement, Bob and Elsie were enthusiastic vacationers with a fondness for cruising, hot islands, and particularly, Las Vegas and doting on their grandchildren when not travelling. Bob was loved and respected by many. His energy, humour and loyalty touched all who knew him and he will be missed. As he would say, "It was an excellent journey." The family would like to thank the MACU staff at the Southlake Regional Health Centre for their compassionate and supportive care during Bob's illness. A visitation for Bob will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON L4G 6W8, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at Thompson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's memory may be made to a Charity of Your Choice.