from Chris Walmsley (continued):
...“Pennywise and pound foolish” said one commentator; “Makes no sense at all”, said another. As the Solidarity Movement gained steam with the largest demonstrations in the province’s history, Roop played an integral role in the Coalition—the non-union organizations and community groups that came together to fight the changes. Roop’s skills as a strategist and organizer were integral to the success of the coalition. As the province lurched towards a general strike in early November, with one union after another taking strike action, Roop never lost his cool or his respect for those who might disagree with him. He was a statesman in a time of crisis and led the Association to an unprecedented level of activism. Truly it was his and the Association’s finest hour.

from Chris Walmsley:
Roop was a courageous, principled and democratic leader who spoke from his heart, honestly and directly with total respect for all. I worked closely with him from 1983 to 1985 when he was president of the BC Association of Social Workers and I was executive director. It was a time unlike any other in the political history of British Columbia. About a month into his presidency, the newly re-elected BC Social Credit Government under Premier Bill Bennett took a distinctly neoconservative policy turn. On July 7, 1983, they introduced 23 bills in the BC Legislature that ripped up collective agreements with civil servants, reduced the public service by 25%, eliminated the human rights commission and stripped the social service sector of virtually all early intervention, family support, and specialized social services. The initial shock soon turned to anger and anger turned to action. Under Roop’s leadership, BCASW became the primary spokesperson for the province’s entire social service sector as the crisis unfolded over the next 4 months. BCASW was free to speak openly and honestly about the consequences of the cutbacks as we received no government funding, unlike the non-profit sector which received substantial government funding, and social workers in the civil service whose loyalty oath meant they could not question government policy publicly. BCASW spoke powerfully, clearly and repeatedly—in newspaper articles, on nightly newscasts and open-line radio shows. Roop challenged the board as well as our committees and branches to actively participate in assessing the consequences of the changes from their vantage point. He wanted their insights to inform our public statements.  With the perspectives of our members from around the province, several brown paper envelopes that mysteriously appeared at our office (without postage), and two studies we completed, the Association provided an articulate counter view to the government’s arguments...

Long before meeting Roop I well knew of his reputation as a highly respected community worker and cross-cultural social work educator in BC and across Canada. Joining the UBC School of Social Work in 1998 I was then privileged to work with Roop for three years before his retirement. 

As many will know here in BC the respect regarding his professional contributions and service were honoured and shared by 170 friends, colleagues, community workers, social welfare policy makers, current and former students and one former BC premier who in early 2002 attended Roop's multi-cultural farewell celebrations in downtown Vancouver. A sure testimony to the mettle of the man and his standing in the community. 

Roop was held in high regard by his social work colleagues. Always a force for progressive social work education prodding the School not only to be a bridge to the community but 'to be grounded in the community'. This was born from his pioneering cross-cultural community work; his research; his social work teaching and commitments to his students and conviction that 'the community serves as our definitive instructor since it is the laboratory for our learning, our service and the search for new ideas'.  

He was to the fore in guiding the curriculum of the School, especially its relations with the wider community. I highly valued his quiet voice and sage advice in building a UBC community of social work scholars and students committed to the practice of social justice and human rights.

The establishment of the Roop Seebaran Annual Award in 2002 for students whose work on community development or anti-racist social work is judged exemplary ensures Roop’s legacy endures. 
 
A footnote. Roop, a cricketer, was one with whom I could discuss the game's finer points. We well remembered 1950 when for the first time the West Indies Cricket Team won the Test Match Series with England with more triumphs in the years ahead. 

Graham Riches    UBC Social Work 1998-2008

I offer my sincere condolences to Roop's family and friends. His kind spirit and his smile will be missed by all those who knew him. But where there is grief when someone leaves this world, there is always love. And I know there is so much of it here!

I will cherish the memories of spending time with Roop while he was in Winnipeg. I loved the discussions during his frequent visits to our home. To Roop, social work was not a job; it was what he truly espoused by what he expressed in words and how he lived his life. Roop believed that social change was not just possible but necessary. He had clear and concrete ideas on how to achieve it, and he shared them with his students and anyone else who would listen and help move the social justice envelope forward.

I was, and still am, incredibly honoured and grateful that this man was a part of our family. And in spirit, he always will be someone we will continue to love, to admire, to learn from, and to live up to.

With much love and wishes for peace,
Anne

Writing to celebrate a fine man, a loving father, and clearly a dedicated husband. I knew Roop through friends Kathryn McCannell (UBC Social Work colleague) & Grant Mountain & as a UVic Social Work professor.  
Not only was he respected for his fine teaching and community development expertise, but I must comment on his dancing moves & love of rhythm & blues and every Latin dance going.  Thinking of his sons and extended family. His energy will continue through them & his many friends & colleagues & the communities he supported so well.

On behalf of the members, staff, and the Board of the BC Association of Social Workers, I send condolences, love, and light to Roop's family and all who loved him.

Roop served as BCASW President from 1983 to 1985 and put his passion and deep commitment to social justice to work for all British Columbians, especially those most vulnerable and marginalized.

Roop will be remembered for his strong belief in achieving equality through organizing at the community level and ensuring the voices of people with lived and living experience were heard. We have lost an amazing advocate however we know his work continues through the many people he taught and mentored.

A life well-lived and rest well-earned.

Love & peace,
Michael Crawford, President
BC Association of Social Workers
bcasw@bcasw.org

Roop will be remembered for his leadership and training in community development.
Many of his social work students  have described his teachings as challenging, inspiring, creative and meaningful.
They would say he was not only a wonderful teacher but a man who lived his values of social justice, equity and inclusion.
He was a leader and an advocate for many social movements - poverty reduction; human rights; environmental sustainability; child care and many more.
He loved his family dearly.
He will be missed but his legacy will continue in the hearts and soul of many community workers.
John Talbot

March 28, 2024.
My condolences to Mark and Andrew and grand-children and partners Susan and Yvonne.

Roop and I were long-time colleagues in community organizing - I succeeded him in the Woodland Park area of East Vancouver in1970, taught with him in community work education at the UBC School of Social Work. We wrote as colleagues with others the book "Reforming Human Services - The Story of The Community Resources Boards in British Columbia (1984)." We didn't have active contact after he retired but in our years together I remember a warm, engaging and talented activist and good friend.
Michael Clague

OBITUARIO

Roopchand Boodhram Seebaran

2 junio, 1936 – 21 marzo, 2024

Woodlawn Mission Funeral Home

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