Robert "Bob" Temple Hill

Bob died peacefully at home on the evening of May 25th, in the presence and tender care of Penny, his loving wife of 56 years. He is survived by his sons Greg and Trevor, their wives Adrienne and Judy, and grandchildren Graham, Cameron, Troy, Sophie, and Nick. He was predeceased by his brother, Don, in 1989.

Bob was born in Vancouver on March 7th, 1937 to Ted and Ivy Hill. He was fortunate to have lived for much of his youth at Locarno Beach, which shaped his love of the sea and sailing. Bob graduated from Lord Bing High School in 1955 and later attended the University of British Columbia, where he achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Science (biochemistry) in 1960. After a short time as a crewman on a merchant ship, Bob returned to Vancouver to marry his high-school sweetheart, Penny, and to take his teaching certification. In 1962, he and Penny moved to Abbotsford to start a career and family. Bob worked initially as a junior high school science and mathematics teacher and earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Western Washington University in 1968. He then transitioned into the elementary school system as a teacher and vice principal and led the development of the elementary science program in Abbotsford. In 1970 and 1971 Bob and Penny realized a dream, travelling for a year in Europe with their young family in a camperized Volkswagen van. For the next 25 years Bob held increasingly responsible vice principal and principal positions at elementary schools in the Abbotsford area until he and Penny retired 1996. Bob and Penny moved to Sidney in 1997 and spent many busy and wonderful years working on household projects and hobbies, sailing, travelling, and spending time with family. In 2011, Bob was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, but fortunately his quality of life was reasonably good until mid-2017.

Bob was a beloved and proud husband, father, and grandfather, known for his sense of humour. In his early days he played the clarinet and maintained a lifelong connection with big band music. He loved languages, spoke conversational French, Spanish, and Italian, and took great pleasure in testing his skill when travelling in Europe. Bob was an accomplished and regular tennis player. He was an avid reader, often having three or four books on the go at one time. Bob was a skilled carpenter and handyman, completing many renovation, building, and gardening projects over the years, including a beautiful cedar strip kayak. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, enjoying many family camping and back-country trips. Bob was a consummate sailor, competing in six Swiftsure races in his younger days and owning several sailboats over his lifetime. He was most thrilled to be able to live near the ocean during retirement.

Bob is well remembered by the thousands of students and hundreds of teachers that he profoundly influenced over his long and successful career. He was an engaging and motivating teacher and a firm, but fair and compassionate, administrator and mentor. He was also a passionate champion of the scientific method and of critical thinking and fought hard to keep science education true to these principles.

We would like to pass on our sincere thanks to all of those who have sent their condolences. We are grateful for your love and support. We are also very thankful for people and services of the Peninsula Health Unit community palliative care team, which allowed Bob to stay comfortably at home until his death.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Saturday, July 14th at 2:00pm, with a reception to follow.