Robert Gordon Crocker

Robert Gordon Crocker— AKA Bob or Bobby – died in the warm care of Mission’s Christine Morrison Hospice, on June 26, 2025. He was 68 year old. Having spent three weeks in the presence of the main women in his life, affectionately referred to by him as his “girls”, Bobby allowed the aggressive cancer to have his body, and died. His generosity and sense of humour were prominent in his final month of life, where he prioritized spending quality time with loved ones, and being outside in the garden for as long as he could.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, to the late Gordon Willis Crocker and the late Margaret Joanne (McKinnon) Crocker, Bobby was a sensitive, intelligent, and kind man, a loving father, and a free spirit. Frequently referred to by others as “a character”. With his former partner, Cairn McArthur, Bobby had three children: Jeffrey, Paul, and Claire. Bobby was a proud father, and his life story would be incomplete without telling of the loss of his two beautiful sons. Jeffrey died in his sleep at nine years old; Paul died from drowning on the cusp of adulthood, at 19. As a young parent, Bobby had spoken of a vision he had of his future self, walking down the road with his two strapping boys, now men, on either side of him. Though this dream was not realized in his lifetime, the memories and spirits of Paul and Jeff were companions to Bobby for the rest of his years. Bobby is survived by his youngest child, his daughter Claire. Though he didn’t tell her directly, he would often share with others how proud he was of her work in the community as a social worker. Claire carries his love of nature and animals. Bobby also leaves behind his younger sister, Susan Crocker, who he often referred to as “a woman of the world”. Susan’s role as his valued and trusted consultant was most evident in Bobby’s final month of life. For his final weeks, Bobby agreed to come “home” to stay with his former partner and forever friend Cairn, allowing her to be a part of his caregiving team. Though they hadn’t lived together for many years, their love remained constant. Bobby also leaves behind friends and travel companions from many different chapters of life, who knew him as a man of revelry, adventure, generosity, and quiet depth.

Bobby completed his Bachelor of Biology at Simon Fraser University in the 1980s. His commute to class was a short one, as he lived in a tent on Burnaby Mountain year-round, companioned by his beloved and free-range dog Moriah. Bobby sought out jobs that combined his love of the outdoors and agriculture, and his need for quiet contemplation. He was an Estimator for Slip Tube for many years, working closely with a crew building greenhouses and shelters. To his delight, his son Paul also worked there for a time. Bobby did not seem to define himself through success in employment and often prioritized jobs where he could take time off to pursue his true passions in life, namely: hiking, camping, kayaking, and travel.

Rather than taking a conventional path, Bobby’s life was shaped by curiosity and a love of the great outdoors. It could be said that his strongest relationship was with nature, or that it was his religion. True to this ethic, his life motto was “he who sleeps outside the most wins”. Which he did. A lot. He sought peace and meaning in remarkable places close to home and far afield—the backcountry of Alberta and British Columbia, throughout the Americas, Europe and more, often citing New Zealand as a favourite. A lifelong writer, he shared his reflections through poetic and eccentric notes from the road, offering glimpses of beauty, solitude, and insight that he found along the way.

In later years, he made sure to have a seat on any bench he came across, taking the opportunity to have a smoke, and observe the flora and fauna. Few forestry roads were too much for him and his well lived-in car, which he would set out on accompanied by his trusty map companions, with a fishing rod bobbing up and down as it rode shotgun. If you had the chance to join Bobby on an outing: a camping trip, a paddle, or a bushwhack, he was a gracious host and would often provide you with some sort of extravagant snack. These treats would be painstakingly delivered to you against unlikely odds and with a bit of pizzaz, like a cylinder of watermelon on a ceramic plate transported to a trail head in the back of his wagon, or an entire casserole of homemade potato salad that he carried on an overnight backpacking trip to Eaton Lake one snowy November. You were in his house: he wanted to make you feel welcome, for you to understand that this was an occasion, and that he would take care of you.

Bobby was a lover of an eclectic range of music and in recent years he could often be found listening to Kootenay Co-op Radio, in his home in the beautifully peaceful community of Crawford Bay. He was passionate about food, often bragging to anyone within ear shot about his bargain finds, which he would eat slowly and with great care. Bobby was a passionate recycler and anti-waste advocate, often diverting food that others might carelessly throw away, or rehoming abandoned clothing he spotted on the side of the road.

Having Bobby in your life meant having someone who showed up time and time again, occasionally without calling first. He had friendships and relationships that endured across time and distance – a testament to his loyal and non-judgemental personality. He would drop everything to be there for you when you needed him, exemplified by the many caregiving roles that he took on for loved ones over the years. Bobby had a quiet magic that he brought to these relationships – a real gift to those he cared for.

Bobby’s legacy lives on in his relationships and the simple yet profound experiences he shared with others. The family invites loved ones, whether friends, family, colleagues, or fellow travellers to share their memories and reflections about Bobby – to celebrate and learn from a life lived with curiosity, eccentricity, and a loving spirit.

Friends and family will gather in the fall for a memorial.

If you are so inclined, memorial donations can be made to:

Kootenay Co-Op Radio. 308A Hall Street, Nelson, BC, Canada. V1L 1Y8.

Bobby had a printed schedule of their weekly lineup of programming on his desk at home, with handwritten notes in the margins.

Ducks Unlimited Canada. PO Box 1160, Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada. R0C 2Z0. D

An obvious choice for a lover of animals, wetlands, and conservation.