Robert Sheldon TAIT

Robert (Bob) was born in Calgary on July 31, 1917. After completing Normal School and going on to obtain a teaching certificate he taught in one room schoolhouses until the war.  He joined the RCAF and became a well respected flying instructor finishing the war assigned to the Empire Flying School established in Canada to train Allied pilots.  He married his “dream girl” on December 26, 1941. 

After the war he moved to North Vancouver and attended UBC and graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.  His employment with CIL Industries followed where he worked and traveled the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.  He was then approached to set up the Canadian operation of the Rain Bird Sprinkler Corp. which included a factory located in Vancouver.  For the next twenty years he traveled extensively throughout Canada and the US overseeing the manufacturing and sales of the business through his associations with government, educational institutions and agribusiness.

On Dec 5, 1983 he received the prestigious Crawford Reid award from the Irrigation Association which was presented to him in Denver, Colorado.

Following this Bob turned his skills to a two year contract with CIDA, setting up the agricultural faculty in the Polytechnic in Kaduna, Nigeria.  This resulted in further 6 month private contract with Alcan (France) in Nigeria.  Bob continued his private consulting until he and Sheila retired in 1986 to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.

Bob and Sheila were early members of the “new” North Shore Winter Club in North Vancouver where he served on the Board of Directors.  The move to the Island expanded their involvement now in golf and Bob served as President of the Qualicum Golf Course during their membership,

The next adventure was on the West Coast of Vancouver Island where they discovered Ocean Village in Tofino on one of Bob’s leaves from Nigeria.  This began a thirty year pilgrimage which was joined by their children and grandchildren over the years.  Bob’ final public service was to the Citizens on Patrol and his regular shifts in the Community Policing Office.

Bob was happily independent in his home until his 97th year when he moved into Hawthorne Place in QB where he enjoyed the warmth and support of the terrific staff and fellow residents and then his last residence at Stanford Place in Parksville. 

Predeceased by his wife of nearly 70 years – Sheila Margaret.  Survived by four children Barb (Victoria) Judy/Brian (Hinton, AB), Robert/Pat (North Vancouver), Susan (Parksville) and his 6 grandchildren: Sheila (Lee), Jordan (Lisa), Jocelyn, Theresa (Roberto), Jennifer (Chad) and Russell and 6 great grandchildren: Noah, Jordan, Emma, Ava, Katelyn and Owen.

A sincere thank you to Dr. Clair Biglow for his care and the conversations he shared with Bob.  The family would also like to thank those at Hawthorne who helped him retain his independence for so long and to the staff at Stanford Place who appreciated his wonderful smile and sense of humour to the end.

In lieu of cards or flowers a donation to Hope for Wildlife.  Bob rarely missed this Knowledge network program and deeply respected their contribution to conservation.