Roger Ian Kemble

Roger Ian Kemble passed away peacefully on July 24, 2023. He was born in 1929 in Hull, England. He is a direct descendant of the illustrious family of Kemble actors, well known in England. He immigrated to Canada in 1950. Soon after he moved to Victoria, B.C. and married Adrienne Marjorie Taylor. They had four children over 15 years of marriage.

Roger was an award winning architect and a notable contributor to the West Coast Modernist Movement in the 1960’s and 70’s. Many of his residences are still standing today, notably in North and West Vancouver. He was also a published author. His book, The Canadian City, published in 1999 is still used as reference in academic circles today. He was a prolific author of poetry and a creative thinker ahead of his times. When he wasn’t writing, drawing or painting he was an avid sailor and loved to explore the Salish Sea. He lived by his principles and led a very active and creative life.

A rich legacy of his many illustrated journals and some residential photos is stewarded and will be available for viewing at the Architectural Archive at the University of Calgary. A small exhibition of his beautiful and complex journals can be seen now in the AA library.

Roger is sadly pre-deceased by Adrienne, Roger Taylor Kemble, his son, and daughter, Margot Vivian Kemble. He is survived by daughters Juliet Kemble and Amanda Rotherham, five grandchildren: Joshua, Peter, Riley, Alenka and Matthew and great grans: Hayden, Seth, Jackie and Miabella.

There is no public service planned. The family will gather privately. We wish to thank the staff at AgeCare Malaspina in Nanaimo for their patient and loving care these past several years.

In lieu of flowers and donations please be kind and loving to one another and don’t take your loved ones for granted.