Robert David Bryan

Bob was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in July 1936, the fifth of six children for parents of Scottish and Irish heritage. His family moved to Penticton when he was in high school and he spent summers picking fruit and adventuring around the sunny Okanagan on his Triumph motorcycle with his brother Bill.

Bob attended the University of British Columbia, where in 1961, he earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree and then went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. He joined a Vancouver firm, moved to Vernon and then Kamloops. Bob was soon made a partner and stayed active in practice for close to 40 years.

During a Christmas visit with family in Vernon in the sixties, Bob was introduced to a young English speech therapist named Joan. He took a chance and invited her skiing the next day. Bob had to return to the coast, but their romance blossomed through correspondence, and they married in England in 1966. The young couple lived briefly in Vernon before settling in Kamloops, B.C., where they raised their 3 children - Mike, Gwenda, and Marion - and a poodle named Beau.

Bob volunteered for various community organizations over the years, including Scouts Canada, and he and Joan were active members of the Church of Cleopas, where they formed many lifelong friendships. The family enjoyed cross country skiing in winters and toasting marshmallows and hotdogs on the bonfire afterwards. Bob also loved swimming at Westsyde Pool or playing a round of golf with his friends on a warm Kamloops summer evening.

Following retirement, Bob and Joan moved to Qualicum Beach to be closer to their grandchildren. They quickly made friends through the local Newcomers group and later QBANA, enjoying hiking, square dancing, walking their dog Spunky, playing dominoes, and cruising the waterfront in the Jag.

Although Bob made his living in the business world, his true passion was the outdoors. Having purchased land on the south side of Shuswap Lake in the 1970’s, he enlisted the help of his wife Joan, family, friends, and locals to help him build a modest log cabin that still stands to this day. Old photos show Joan and Bob peeling the logs by hand, and his brothers helping cut the doorway. Bob often recruited visitors and neighbours to help him repair the wharf, but nobody seemed to mind lending a hand. The hard work was balanced by many happy hours fishing, swimming, playing cards, and telling stories around the campfire.

In addition to his love of nature and animals , Bob will be remembered for his sense of humour, hearty belly laughs, and a kind and generous spirit. Among the many charities he supported were the BC SPCA, Canadian Wildlife Federation, and the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joan; son, Mike; daughters, Gwenda and Marion; grandson, Julian; granddaughter, Molly; cousin, Evelyn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Bob’s private caregivers, Vancouver Island Health staff, Ocean Front Village, and the staff of the Comox Valley Hospital, for their kindness and compassion.

A Celebration of Life is planned for July 5, 2025 in Qualicum.