Robert Galloway Stevenson

Bob had the privilege of being married to two wonderful women in his life. He married Joy Rogers in 1952, sharing a loving 44 years together, and raising two daughters, Corrine and Lorraine, before Joy's death in 1996. He enjoyed the supportive, caring love of Ilse Witt for 25 years until his passing. Bob was born in Australia in 1925, immigrated to England in 1932, and served in the RAF as an armourer during the Second World War in both Britain and India. It was in the RAF, where Bob discovered his talent for problem-solving and building things, which led to his earning a degree in engineering from the University of London in 1956. Moving with his family to Canada in 1957, Bob worked for Sheldon's Engineering for 33 years, rising to become VP of Engineering, before his retirement in 1990. Never one to sit still, Bob began his own consulting firm, Argus Fans Inc, operating worldwide. He sold his firm at age 85, to enjoy time with his wife, Ilse, travelling, reading, and sharing time with their families. Bob was a skilled craftsman, building his own 26-foot thunderbird sailboat, which he named “Fair Dinkum” in honour of his Australian heritage, and loved sailing around Lake Ontario. He also built furniture for his children and his office. The power tools in his garage workshop could often be heard running late into the night. Bob discovered his love of jazz when he was given his grandfather's trumpet at age eight. He took great joy in playing in various bands, including the Galt Kiltie Band, and endlessly playing records of his favourite jazz musicians, Bix Beiderbecke and King Oliver. A philosopher, life-long learner and voracious reader, Bob studiously sought answers to the great mysteries of life and death. Perhaps what he learned is best encapsulated in his own words - “I have lived and loved for 97 years on this planet, and there is very little that I would change. I know I was born to be an engineer, I lived for solving problems and I was darned good at it too! I have had two loving wives and two beautiful daughters and five wonderful grandchildren and seven exceptional great-grandchildren. It doesn’t get any better than that, eh! … Love and nurture each other, it gives so much more meaning to your life.” Bob is survived by his wife, Ilse, and her extended family; his beloved daughters, Corrine (Paul), and Lorraine (Terry); his grandchildren; Michelle (Carlos), Nicki (Pascal), Chaslyn (Bradley), Leah, and Kieran (Angela); and great-grandchildren; Aidan, Lily, Ketanna, Alexander, Marcus, Ethan, and Cella. Also survived by his sister, Dulcie, and many nieces and nephews. Please join us in celebrating his life on Thursday, September 8th at T. Little Funeral Home, 223 Main St., Cambridge. Visitation from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Service at 3:00pm with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington would be appreciated.

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” ― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows