Robert BARTLETT

BARTLETT, Robert Michael
On August 3, 2013 an exceptional man passed away leaving behind many to mourn him. Robert Michael Bartlett was born September 23, 1951 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He was the son of Robert and Mary Bartlett of Ontario, Canada. In 1953, the family moved to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf, and two years later returned to Canada in order to treat his mother's tuberculosis. The family moved to the United States in 1957 and continued to reside outside New York City until moving to Tokyo, Japan in 1967. Mike graduated in 1969 from the American School in Japan. He attended one year at Wabash College in Indiana but returned to Tokyo for two years to teach English. He then moved to Vancouver, attending UBC where he graduated with a degree in Education. In 1989, Mike graduated from Harvard with his Masters of Education with an emphasis on students with Special Needs. He returned to Vancouver, and shortly thereafter was instrumental in creating Special Education Technology - British Columbia (SET-BC), an organization dedicated to providing students with disabilities access to the latest technology to meet their learning needs. He was the leader of a group of educators that shared the same passion and vision; to create opportunities for all students to learn in inclusive settings. Thousands of students across the provinces have benefitted from this vision. Through Mike's dedication and leadership, SET-BC grew to become an organization recognized across all of North America for its innovative and creative practices. Other provinces as well as countries overseas invited Mike to help them develop a similar program. Mike retired in June of 2007, focusing on many of his passions: international travel, love of different cultures, people and food. He continued, in retirement, to live life to the fullest: curious, unafraid of change, and embracing learning. Mike is survived by his brother Jim and his family, an aunt and uncle in Vancouver, and various cousins in Vancouver, Calgary, and across Canada. As well, he is mourned by his partner Gregg with whom he shared many incredible adventures over the past 21 years. A funeral service was held on August 8, 2013 at St. James' Church in Vancouver, BC. Please help us honour Mike's life and legacy through a memorial contribution to SET-BC, which can be made by contacting Cathy Black at 604-269-2211.