Robert Bredin Alexander

It is with sadness that we advise that Bob passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 13, 2025 at age 97, at home with family present. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Norma, son Brian (Terry) and granddaughters Jessie Sargent (John) and Hannah Alexander and two great grandchildren Carson and Sienna; daughter Corinne and granddaughter Arielle Alexander-Gordon (Kendra Martin), and grandsons Zach Gordon and Curtis Gordon. Bob was pre-deceased by his older brother Don, and brother-in-law Ken Borleske. He is also survived by his younger brother Ken, niece Kathy Berghorn (Greg), sister-in-law Myrna Borleske and was close with his cousin Susan Alexander and her son Sean Powell, and had numerous other cousins.

Bob was born in Winnipeg on October 5, 1927 to Dr Edward and Marie Alexander. In 1944, Bob’s father sold his medical practice and the family moved to Vancouver, where his father then specialized at Shaughnessy Hospital. Bob attended Magee High School and went on to UBC where he graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree. He was president of the Pharmacy Undergraduate Society in his final UBC year and valued his classmates’ friendship through the years.

He practiced his profession in BC (in Vancouver, Port Alberni and Victoria) until he fully retired in 1996; he was very active in pharmacy and was co-chair of continuing education in Victoria for 12 years. He was a founding member of the BC Pharmacists Society and was the first president of Chapter One (Vancouver Island). Bob was the manager of the pharmacy and drug department at Woodwards when Mayfair opened and for the following 20 years. After retiring from Woodwards he went to work at McGill and Orme, managing the Long-term Care department. Retiring from there, he managed Brentwood Bay Pharmacy for something to do. He also took shifts at several other pharmacies in Victoria.

Bob was a member for 15 years of Canadian Power and Sail Squadron, although never owned a boat. He was a charter member of the Oak Bay Squadron, was their first training officer and later a Commander. He enjoyed another two years as assistant training officer before retiring to go RVing with Norma. They bought a truck and a 5th wheel trailer and RV’d for about 25 winters down south in Texas and Arizona.

Bob was Town Crier first for the City of Duncan, then both Victoria and Esquimalt for 25 years, as well as volunteering for 17 years for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Tour de Rock. He also volunteered at the cruise ship terminal for 15 years greeting and welcoming tourists to town. He valued his friendship with fellow Town Crier Kenny Podmore.

Bob and Norma enjoyed good times in earlier years with much loved friends Joe and Hilda Quan, Dave and Thelma Allen, Bedford and Mary Bates, Nancy and Ron Slavin. Bob truly treasured the calls and visits from all family members who would stop in for a chat and give a life update.

The family would like to recognize the care and compassion provided by VGH 4th floor staff and the Island Health nurses and care aids who provided care for Bob at home.

Those wishing to make a donation in Bob’s name may do so to the Canadian Cancer Society Tour de Rock 2025.

A gathering of friends and family are welcome at a celebration of Bob’s life on Saturday September 6, 1:30 – 3:30 pm at the United Peninsula Masonic Lodge at 8105 Derrinberg Rd, Saanichton.