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Robert Huggan Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 19, 2011.

HUGGAN, Robert David (Bob) Died Feb. 15, 2011, in hospital in Montpellier, France, of pneumonia following two years combating myeloma. Born in 1932 in Edinburgh, Scotland, he began his career as a journalist in Dundee and Edinburgh, becoming a show business reporter and music columnist. In 1960 he emigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto. At Maclean-Hunter he rose quickly to become publisher and editor of Progressive Plastics magazine. He joined John Tames in l967 as partner in a public relations firm specializing in industrial accounts such as Fiberglas Canada. In 1972, he began a new career as teacher of journalism at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. After a sabbatical in 1979, during which he obtained his MJ from Carleton University, he was appointed deputy director of communications for the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa. In 1987, he became head of the new communications and information division of the World Agriforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Kenya. Later he became a communications director, first for the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) in Montpellier, France, then for the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, the Philippines. In 1998, he retired to the Cevennes region of France so he could enjoy his major recreational activity, walking in the mountains. Nevertheless, he continued as a development communications consultant and workshop leader in the Caribbean and Africa, both for the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (the CGIAR), and the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA). In 2008, he took his last job in communications strategy for Jeffrey Sachs UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Kenya. He leaves his beloved wife of 40 years, Isabel Howey Huggan; their daughter Abbey Clare Huggan and her partner Saulis Tribinevicius; sons Keith and Donald Huggan from his former marriage to the late Iris Canning Huggan; and five grandchildren. Bob's many friends may wish to contribute to Myeloma Canada or, recognizing his passion for development, a charity such as Inter Pares.

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Recent Activity

July 31, 2011

Allan Rix posted to the memorial.

July 24, 2011

Maurice Chazottes posted to the memorial.

May 18, 2011

Michael Wiggin posted to the memorial.

15 Entries

Allan Rix

July 31, 2011

I first met Bob when we recruited him to work for us at IDRC in Ottawa. He was great at putting into words what researchers wanted us to learn from their projects." Maybe there is another way of saying that" was a great lead-in to a major revision of the text. We then met Isabel and Abbey and over the years exchanged houses on different continents........Bob and
I often reminded each other of the advice ............."follow your path"

To Isabel and Abbey......our thoughts are with you........and follow your path

Allan Rix

Maurice Chazottes

July 24, 2011

Quite by chance I came across Bob's obituary and was saddened by his death. We both had a background in British journalism and worked together at Maclean Hunter. He succeeded me as editor of Progressive Plastics when I took a brief detour into advertising. Strangely enough, he also followed my footsteps to join Tames Advertising when I returned to Maclean Hunter to help launch The Medical Post. I remember him as a good friend and valued colleague.

Michael Wiggin

May 18, 2011

Isabel and Abbey,
I was thinking of you and Bob today as I was sorting through old email addresses and then checked Google to search you out. I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I will always remember his warmth and humour and love for you and Abbey. I would love to hear from you if you would. My warm wishes to you both as I know that you will miss Bob deeply.

Love to you both.

Michael

KIERAN BROADBENT

March 16, 2011

I was saddened to hear the news of Bob's passing I will always remember him for his friendliness, conviviality and hospitality. Our paths crossed after IDRC but sadly I never walked with him but myself a long distance walker will think of him always as my feet hit the ground Kieran(Kerry) Broadbent

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josephine e Gordon Prain

March 1, 2011

Dear Isabel and Abby, Bob will always be our "Singing Diver". So many beautiful memories of our trips in the Philippines. Our dinners and parties. We keep him and you beautiful Ladies, very close to our hearts.
His strong Scottish spirit will never leave us. We Celebrate your life Bob. Your wonderful sense of humor, and your tenatious personality.
Josephine and Gordon Prain - Lima Peru

Gerry Toomey

February 28, 2011

Dear Isabel & Abbey,
Sincere condolences on your great loss. Bob was not only my boss at IDRC in the early 1980s but also a mentor and friend. He made major contributions to telling the story of scientific progress in the developing world. But I’ll remember him too for the great “boy scout” he was on a few daylong upland hikes we took together. Good memories, even if there were a few blisters.

Debra Hook Marshall

February 25, 2011

Isabel and Abby
My heartfelt condolences.
Bob shaped the lives of so many, none who met him left his side unchanged. Bob was a postive force in the lives of all of us, and will continue to be even in his passing. His legacy is that he made us better people, just for having spent time with him.

Joe Callahan

February 23, 2011

Hi Isabel,

So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I don't need to tell you what he meant to so many of his students and colleagues at Loyalist.

Please know that my thoughts are with you and Abby.

Joe Callahan (College Joe!)

February 22, 2011

Isabel, I remember with such pleasure meeting you at the Van Loons. I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's death. A trying time, and in another country. I'm thinking of you.

Joan Harcourt

Saik Yoon Chin

February 21, 2011

Dear Isabel and Abby,

I remember the happy times working with Bob.

I also remember his love for the highlands. We were once up along the foothills of The Himalaya, on the mountain road leading form Kathmandu, Nepal to the Chinese border. Bob decided we should stop at one of the peaks and hike up to a temple for a visit. Away he went up the steep, rocky path. I tried to keep up but finally gave up. Bob was then 20 years older than me!

I also remember the many times Bob had spoken up for the developing world in his writings and in the many publications which he edited.

Louise Behan

February 21, 2011

Sincere condolences Isabel and Abby. Bob hired me at IDRC in 1987, the best job of my life. Thanks Bob, I will always remember your gentle spirit.

maxine kehoe

February 20, 2011

We are thinking of you Isabel with much sympathy for your loss. We have fond memories of our visit to your wonderful home in France. Pat & Maxine

Karen Roberts

February 19, 2011

Fond memories of Mother's day dinner after our pyjamma party weekend.--especially the look on Bob's face when we sang grace!

Chris Smart

February 19, 2011

I have only the warmest memories of Bob. He was all that one could wish for in a colleague at IDRC.

Eva Rathgeber

February 19, 2011

Dear Isabel and Abby,

I am so sorry to hear that Bob passed away. He was always a fine colleague at IDRC and after he left the Centre, I had numerous interactions with him in different parts of the world. In our conversations then he always talked about how happy he was in France and all the joys he found in his family life.

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