Robert Harold Okell

Rob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Rob is survived by his wife, Marlene; his sons, Patrick (Anna Kakos), Cameron (Theresa); and his grandchildren, Cormac “Mac”, Samuel “Sam”, Lila, and Finnian “Finn”. Rob is predeceased by his father, Bob and his mother, Daisy.

Rob was born in Powell River, B.C. Canada on February 20, 1940. He passed his childhood happily on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. After high school Rob attended the University of British Columbia where he received a Bachelors of Science and a Bachelors of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering. It was while at U.B.C. that Rob met his wife, Marlene. They married in 1965. Together they raised two sons, enjoyed countless days of skiing, and traveled all over the world. Rob had a long engineering career, including over 30 years with Weyerhaeuser Company. He worked on projects all over the United States and Canada.

Rob always had time for his family. His trademark kindness and patience were evident as he taught his boys to ski, ice skate, sail, and captained marathon family road trips. Always up for a project, he dove in and helped both his sons with extensive construction projects on their homes. These qualities only increased when he became a grandfather, gladly playing a huge part in the lives of his four beloved grandchildren.

Rob was blessed with a large group of extended family and friends in both the U.S. and Canada. Together with Marlene they went out of their way to visit family and friends, keeping these cherished relationships going.

He especially loved having coffee in the morning or a beer in the afternoon with friends and family while sitting on the deck looking out at the water from the family cabin near Powell River B.C.

His cheerfulness, kindness and curiosity will be missed by all who loved him, but never be forgotten.

Celebrations of Rob’s Life will be held later in the Spring and Summer.