Robert is survived by his wife, Freda Fee Har Chee and his sons Wilson and Sonny Chee and daughter Pauline Chew. He is further survived by the source of his greatest pride, his six grandchildren, Beatrice, Dylan, Mathew, Joshua, Aria and Inara.
Robert arrived in Vancouver in the spring of 1973 with less than $15 dollars in his pocket. Over the intervening years, Robert and his wife, Freda, worked hard and at times, at several jobs. They provided a stable home and sent all of their children to university.
The Baptist community welcomed Robert and his family to this generous and beautiful country called Canada. Pastor Jonathan Cheung arranged for Robert's first odd job at the Salvation Army on East Hastings Street. After a year of evening studies, Robert challenged a trade exam with his broken English and somehow the proctor allowed his torn dictionary as an aid. When he received his refrigeration certification on the first attempt, Freda was quietly very proud.
Robert took whatever refrigeration opportunity presented itself; whether this was in the remote parts of B.C., in the bowels of hotels or the kitchens of Vancouver homes. He occasionally accepted payment in used aquariums - this sparked an enduring fascination with aquaculture in one of his sons.
Robert was devoted to his extended family and after establishing some financial stability sponsored his in-laws. Over the next several years, he successfully sponsored all 12 of his in-laws and then sponsored all 10 of his siblings and their families.
Robert was a loyal patron of local hospitals and the Red Cross. His unbroken years of donation in blood and money was never overtly mentioned. It was only revealed when his son discovered a stack of unused tax receipts and letters of appreciation.
Robert relished finding good restaurant eats and was an avid pursuer of food novelty. He readily mixed and matched food. Sriracha and vanilla ice cream were fair game, which occasionally induced cringes in those around him. His love of food was inherited by his daughter and youngest son, although they appear to lack his particular flair for mix-and-matching.
Robert was a good husband to his wife, a good father to his children and a good son to his mother.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider making a donation to a local hospital on Robert's behalf.
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