Robert Hervey Abbott

April 1, 1930 - January 20, 2020

Bob passed away peacefully in Kamloops at the age of 89, surrounded by family. He was born in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, and grew up in Sault Ste. Marie.

Bob worked as a heavy-duty mechanic in northern Ontario before heading to Vancouver to visit a friend, which led to moving to Whitehorse to take a job.

In Whitehorse, while attending the Presbyterian Church Young Peoples Group, he met Betty and she convinced him to become a teacher. After attending Provincial Normal School and marrying in 1956, Bob & Betty settled in Savona as the two teachers in the two-room school. In 1960 they moved to Kamloops, where Bob was an intermediate teacher at North Kamloops Elem, then at Lloyd George Elem, and the first librarian at Lloyd George, than at Arthur Hatten Elem when it opened. In 1966 they moved to Powell River, where Bob became District Librarian, running the School District Resource Centre from 1966 to 1988, retiring in 1989.

Bob volunteered in the community with the Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis Club, and as a Scout Leader. During his retirement years, he and Betty enjoyed travelling to visit family and friends and see the world. Hobbies were reading, genealogy, boating, computers and talking! He became a master at pulling a person’s life story out of them within the first 10 minutes of meeting. In 2012 they returned to Kamloops to be closer to their children.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years Betty; his children Heather (Ken) Awmack, Rob Abbott, Ernie (Tracey) Abbott and Tricia (Grant) Huffman; grandchildren David (Krystle), Jae, Amanda (Najib), Eric, Emily, Grace, Tobin, Kylie and Jaden; two great-grandchildren, his brother Jim; ten nieces and two nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Bill, brother-in- law Ian, niece Mary and three sisters-in-law.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 1, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1136 – 6th Ave, followed by a tea in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.schoeningfuneralservices.com

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Services 250-374-1454