ROBERT JOHN MELVILLE BEVIS

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ROBERT JOHN MELVILLE BEVIS

December 24, 1935 -

December 22, 2024

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Robert (Bob) Bevis of Nanoose Bay, BC. Bob passed away following a stroke. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Nanaimo General Hospital for the compassionate care they provided during Bob's final weeks.

Bob will be deeply missed by his loving partner of 10 years, Marie Emery, and his children Brenda (Don Rodway), Wendy (Grant McCormick), and Rob (Shelley Jackson). He is also survived by his grandchildren, of whom he was immensely proud: Duncan, Derek, Michelle, Allyson, Nicole, Matthew, and Alexander. Bob's love of family also extended to Marie's children, Rob Miners (Karen Yamamoto), Rick Miners (Jacinthe Charette), Karen McDonald (Steve Corbett), plus all of her grandchildren: Brooke, Chase, Kallum, Jack, Anais, Zack, Reilly, and Quinn, whom he welcomed warmly into his life. Bob was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Elisabeth (Liz) Bevis, in 2012.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, MB, Bob was the only child of Jack and Mary Bevis. He attended the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.Sc.Eng.) and was a member of the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity. His professional career began in Toronto as a product manager for CIL Plastics. He later returned to Winnipeg to work for Bristol Aerospace Limited, where he took on an exciting role as marketing manager for the newly developed Black Brant rockets. These rockets were sold to national and international government space programs, including NASA. With his characteristic sense of humour, Bob lightheartedly referred to himself as one of Canada's first rocket salesmen. After 11 years with Bristol Aerospace, he went on to hold key leadership roles in sales and marketing with Monarch Industries, Canertech, New Flyer Industries, and Orion Bus Industries.

Adventurous and full of energy, Bob approached life with boundless enthusiasm. He loved spending time with his family and was passionate about activities such as skiing, curling, golfing, boating, and exploring nature. Many cherished summers were spent at the family cabins he and his parents built at Dorothy Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Bob found joy in life's simple pleasures—whether exploring the waters by boat at Dorothy Lake and Lake of the Woods, waterskiing, picking blueberries, foraging for mushrooms, tromping through the bush, or venturing down forestry roads just to see where they led.

In Winnipeg, Bob was an active member of the Winter Club and St. Charles Country Club. He also gave back to his community by volunteering with organizations such as Rotary, Scouts, and the Winnipeg Jets.

In 1994, Bob and Liz semi-retired to the west coast, first settling in Nanaimo and later in Fairwinds, Nanoose Bay. Bob's enthusiasm for life remained as strong as ever. He became a member of the Fairwinds Golf Course, where he enjoyed golfing regularly, expanded his appreciation of scotch whisky as part of the Wee Drammers group, found joy in singing with the Tidesmen Chorus and served as president of the Nanoose Probus Club.

He remained committed to community, fundraising for BC Guide Dogs, active in Rotary, and supporting the Port Theatre and Symphony in Nanaimo.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Yates Memorial Services, 1000 Allsbrook Rd, Parksville, BC.

Bob's adventurous spirit, love for his family, and passion for life will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2025