ROBERT (BOB) ALLAN
January 25, 1940 – June 5, 2021
It is with deep sadness that we say good-bye to our dear Bob – husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Predeceased by his first wife Dorothy Hambly, he will be greatly missed by his remaining family: his beloved wife, Lynn;sons, stepsons and daughters-in-law – Bill and Laura, Gary and Alison, Dave and Lisa, Jamie and Hannah, Matthew and Caroline; plus twelve wonderful grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sister, Marg Howe; nieces Kathryn and Laura; cousin Sue Mavinic as well as members of the Lerbinger and Hambly and Allworth families.
His family was the most meaningful part of Bob’s life, both in the enjoyment it gave and his interest in guiding and helping his children and grandchildren find satisfying and rewarding paths. Through Scouts, camping, canoeing, and curling Bob spent many enjoyable hours with his boys as they grew. And later, both his stepsons and his grandchildren were the beneficiaries of his genuine interest and love.
Bob took a leadership role in the 1st Thornhill Scout troop of which all three boys were members. He encouraged the troop members to learn new skills and organized many a camping trip to try out those skills. The highlight of his scouting was taking a group of 16 Scouts to Cameron River, NWT for a canoeing Jamboree in July 1982.
For most of his adult life the sport of curling was a favorite pastime for Bob. He enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of the sport first at the Thornhill Golf Club where Dorothy and the Allan boys also curled. He was proud of his sons’ skill at the game. He served on the Curling Board of Directors at the club and was OCA rep for Zone 7 for many years. When Bob moved from Thornhill to the country in Caledon, he had the opportunity to join the Orangeville Curling Club and found rewarding new friendships amongst the curlers in the Thursday morning jitney league.
Bob pursued both undergraduate and graduate work at McMaster University, graduating with a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1967. The previous year he had joined the faculty at newly-launched York University to help build a science program. From 1972 to 1982 he served as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Science and he was a member of the York University Senate for many years while teaching introductory-level, and 3rd year intro biochemistry courses. A particular delight for him was the organization and running of two Canada-wide Summer Science programs for 35 of Canada’s brightest and best science and math students, held at York and Lakefield College School in Peterborough in 1969 and 1970. During his entire university career, Bob enjoyed contributing, with his administrative mindset, to the betterment of the University.
Bob leaves behind many long-standing friends. He so appreciated their faithful support during his illness with cancer. Our grateful thanks to all who have kept us in their thoughts and prayers. We are also grateful to those in the medical profession who have given their kindness and exemplary care. To all Bob would say “Thank You and Fare Thee Well”.
In lieu of flowers, please consider spreading kindness to a charity of your choice or to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
A tree will be planted in Bob’s memory in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest in the Island Lake Conservation Area.