Bob Robert Lansdale

1931 - 2021

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Bob (Robert) Lansdale at Mississauga Trillium Hospital on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the age of 90.

Beloved husband of Margaret for 45 years (predeceased May 2007). Loving father of Robert (wife Monika) and John (wife LeeAnne). Cherished grandfather of Christopher, Andrew, Matthew, Vanessa and Cameron Lansdale. Predeceased by his parents William Rodney & Constance Mary (Connie) Lansdale, and by his sister Deidee (Sheldon) Lansdale. Survived by his sister Phillis Evans. He will be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends. Memories of him will last in our hearts forever.

If so desired, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and/or
the Photographic Historical Society of Canada (https://www.phsc.ca),would be appreciated in Bob's memory.

Bob Lansdale was well known by family, friends and associates for the outright unselfish generosity of his time, patience and interest to help others. For his children and grandchildren he taught them how to "get their hands dirty with power tools and paint brushes" from an early age, leading many into careers of engineering and art. Since Jan 1997, Bob was the heavy weight editor of the 'Photographic Canadiana Journal' of the Photo Historical Society of Canada (https://www.PHSC.ca), which consumed ALL hours of his retirement, right up to his last days of life - he lived to surpass 100 published issues of his beloved journal.

Bob was a well known, passionate & artistic professional photographer and photo-journalist (MPA HLM). Introduced to photography by Jack Marshall (by the sheer fluke of winning a high school contest), Bob went to Ryerson (1950) and got his first job at Federal News Photo in 1953 where his photos would appear in the Telegram, Toronto Star & Star Weekly; his work would take him on travels and adventures around the country and the world. Bob met his wife Marg at FedNews. He was particularly proud of his photos of the Marilyn Bell swims of 1954 and 1955, and the Queen's visits to Canada in the 1950s. He often risked his life and limb to "get the photo". In 1960 he started working directly for Jack Marshall Photography (after he and Jack had taken over ~2mil photos for the Toronto Star & Star Weekly) then started his own business along with his wife Margaret in 1969 (Robert Lansdale Photography). Bob focused on commercial/industrial photography and was able to spend much time with his family over the following 30 years until retirement in 1993. In 1968 he became president of CAPPAC (PPOC/PPO, https://www.ppoc.ca); he became their chief archivist which itself lead Bob directly to his new interest in photo-history and then his eventual involvement with the PHSC. Bob and Marg spent 10 years writing and producing a book of stories & anecdotes from well known photographers, which got published in 1997; that experience lead him to taking over the role as editor of the 'Photographic Canadiana' journal which would go on to define his next 24 year of retirement. His legacy will live on through the "Robert Lansdale Photography" fonds at the University of Toronto (https://utarms-online.library.utoronto.ca/islandora/object/utarmsCPC:LAN) and through the extensive curation of his life's work via his son Robert.

A private visitation will take place on Sunday, July 25, from 2-3 p.m. followed by a private funeral service at Glendale Funeral Home (1810 Albion Rd., Etobicoke, M9W 5T1 - N.W corner of Hwy. 27 and Albion Rd). Live streaming will be available. Cremation to follow.