Rob was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Thelma and Herbert Butler on July 24th, 1945. After graduating high school, Rob enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and earned a degree in Pharmacy. Shortly after graduating, Rob married Dianne Bent and the young couple had two children, Clinton and Allison. Rob practiced Pharmacy only briefly before deciding he’d “had enough of that sh*t,” and followed his brother David to Calgary, to try his luck in the booming oil industry of the 70’s. Rob found success and enjoyment in the oil business, but eventually realized that what he truly enjoyed was doing whatever he wanted, when he wanted, so he retired from the industry in the early 90’s. Rob invested in the hospitality business and relocated to Nelson B.C. where, over the next 30 years, he, along with talented partners, helped build a successful hospitality enterprise.
Rob was a mentor and council to many. He was particularly fond of encouraging young people on their paths and nothing gave him a bigger thrill than watching them succeed. If you were young and brave and following your heart, you had no bigger fan than Rob. No one loved a good laugh as much as Rob did, and his laugh was infectious and one of his most distinguishing traits. Anyone who knew him will remember, and miss that laugh.
He cherished his friends and, with the best of them, enjoyed ski trips in the 80’s, boating around the west coast of BC in the 90’s, golf throughout, and the meetings of the minds which took place in the “Libary” (yes, that spelling is correct), the Kootenay Lake headquarters of a Kokanee-fueled think-tank and intellectual juggernaught, where all the world’s problems were handily solved (due to an unfortunate lack of foresight, no records were kept).
Rob led an uncompromising life. He did things his way. He did things well. He treated people with respect. He was honest and forthright and abhorred injustice. He laughed A LOT.
Rob will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his son, Clint (Heather), daughter Allison (Michael) and grandson Declan, as well as siblings David and Beverly.
There will be a celebration of Rob’s life at a later date. The family will make sure that all who would wish to attend will be alerted through public notice of the plans well in advance of the date so that arrangements may be made to share a “giggle”, as Rob would refer to a good time with friends and family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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