Robert Stuart Smith

Robert was born in Lhanbryde, Moray, Scotland, the second youngest of 9 siblings. After serving 2 years in the army (peace keeping), and apprenticing for 4 years at Elgin Motors in Scotland, Robert came to Canada in 1957 and settled in Vancouver, BC.

Robert always excelled at what he chose to do. He took up scuba diving, and subsequently taught diving at UBC. He worked as a ticketed machinist and co-owned Master Machines in Vancouver. In his leisure time he wrote poetry, and was known for the poem “My Vancouver”, for which music was also composed. He picked up many singing gigs and was hired by the Hotel Georgia to host and entertain in the George V Pub. ‘Robert Stuart and the Publicans’ was a very popular variety show in Vancouver for 17 years, and featured Scottish, Irish and English songs.

In 1978 Robert graduated from Hotel Management at BCIT. In the early 80's he designed kitchens for Jack Horner’s Kitchen Corner. A student of Robbie Burns lore, he performed at many Burns’ Suppers and was privileged to be in high demand for weeks surrounding Robbie Burns Day (January 25th). Robert had a vast repertoire of Burns’ songs, and loved to perform the Immortal Memory and Address the Haggis with dramatic flair! Venues including the Vancouver Club, Seaforth Highlanders, numerous pipe bands, Royal Canadian Legions and many seniors residences who welcomed him back year after year. He was also invited to perform regularly at the Scottish Cultural Center on New Years Eve, entertaining for the Moray, Nairn and Banff Association for over 20 years.

In 1990, Robert became a licensed realtor, and with Genevieve as an assistant, garnered many industry accolades. Robert and Genevieve loved adventure; they traveled and cruised extensively. They opened their home to hosting ESL students from around the world; many remain part of the family to this day.

As recent years progressed, so did Robert’s dementia. He passed peacefully with Genevieve at his side. A kind, loving and generous man, we were all fortunate to share a part of his life. He will be dearly missed by his wife and soul mate Genevieve, brother Jimmy (Cathie), many loved nieces and nephews in Scotland, stepdaughter Lynne (Mike) Ryan, stepson Herb Eigl, stepdaughter Gina (Kevin) Gordon, stepson Jayme Crosgrove, grandchildren Aurora Chandler, Jeremy (Emma) Eigl, Nancy (Brian) Munro, Meghan and Rayn West, and great grandchildren Mackenzie, Evan, Jordan, Keeley, Sasha and Hunter. He was predeceased by eight of his siblings in Scotland, his second wife Phyllis and his stepdaughter Nancy.

A private family gathering was held at Victory Memorial Cemetery.

The song has ended but the melody lingers on