Young Bok Roe

Beloved husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather, uncle and friend, a resident of North Vancouver for 56 years, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025 at the age of 97.

Young Bok Roe, M.Sc., P. Eng. (Professional Electrical Engineer) was born in Busan, Republic of Korea (South Korea). After graduating in 1952 from Seoul National University in engineering, he became a professor at Busan National University in 1955. In 1954, he married Tal Soon Kwan, and they had five children.

Young initially immigrated to the United States in 1962 to pursue his graduate studies in electrical engineering. He completed his Master of Science degree in 1966 in electrical engineering from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Afterwards, he took his family and immigrated to Canada in 1969, settling in North Vancouver, BC. He received his Canadian Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) registration in BC in 1970. He worked at BC Hydro headquarters in Vancouver as an electrical engineer from 1969 to 1983, and later as the engineering manager in Vaughn Hydro in Ontario, retiring in 1990. He was not ready to settle into retirement and continued to work as a full-time instructor in electric power systems at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) in Burnaby from 1991 to 1993. In 1994, he moved to Yamaguchi-ken in Japan as a guest full time mathematics instructor, emeritus at his former high school, and then officially retired in 2000. He returned to the family home in North Vancouver, BC, settling into the next phase of life: the golden years.

He was an avid photographer, adventurer, and historian. He loved and enjoyed travelling and taking memorable road trips with his family all over the U.S. and Canada, and later his travels included South Korea and Japan. His love of learning never ceased as he loved reading books and learning history throughout his life. He loved listening to classical music and was a regular annual season pass holder to the VSO (Vancouver Symphony Orchestra). He also had a healthy appetite and “sweet tooth”, and enjoyed many foods and different cuisines, and dessert was always enjoyed at the end of the meal.

He was from the “greatest generation” that survived two wars: WWII and the Korean War. His generation exemplified traditional values: strong work ethic; personal responsibility; faithful commitment; resilience and grit; courage; good manners; respect for elders and authority; and service for the common good. He set the example and paved the way for the younger generations to follow. Because of his sacrifice and commitment to provide a better life for his family in North America, thousands of miles away from his homeland, the legacy he leaves behind will continue to live on in our lives and memories, and our love for him.

He was a devoted and dedicated husband and father, and a long-time, loyal friend to many. He was a great conversationalist to his friends and to many people who got to know him over the years. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Tal Soon Roe. He is survived by his eldest son and daughter-in-law, Jin and Geum Sook; eldest daughter Gyoung; son and daughter-in-law, Al and Suki; son and daughter-in-law, Jung and Mijeong; daughter, Eileen; and grandchildren, Candace, Christine, Caitlin, Jason, Christopher, and Stephanie.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 14th at 10:30 AM at First Memorial Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver, BC.