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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
ALLEN, Robert Alfred William (Bob) - of 88 years. Bob was born in Vancouver, B.C. on August 09, 1921 to Robert and Rose Allen. Bob’s parents and one sister have predeceased him. He spent a good number of years -till age of 14- in Vancouver. He moved on with his parents to Hariot Bay, B.C. where he went to school. At the age of 17 he decided to join the Navy as a “Boy Seaman” until the age of 18. Bob spent the next 7 years in the Navy, and at the end of his 7th year he was stationed in Washington, D.C. at the Canadian Embassy where he met and married Doris (Doedy) Gorbutt. After discharge from the Navy in 1946 he and Doedy settled in Vancouver, B.C. where their daughter Roberta was born. Later they moved to Monte Lake, Williams Lake and to Nelson where Bob was involved in the lumber business from 1946 to 1964. While he was first in Nelson he worked for Kootenay Forest. Bob spent the next 2 years preparing and building the Nelson A & W drive in (just across the orange bridge) opening on April 01, 1966 and retiring in 1989. During the years from 1966 and onward Bob was a member of the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Shriners where he was president for a year, Circus Chairman for 11 years and Hospital Rep. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1979 and was Vice President in 1985 and President in 1986. He joined the R.C.M.P. as an auxiliary from 1970 to 1986. Bob was Search and Rescue instructor in 1973 and Co-Coordinator from 1974 to 1979. He was a member of the Power Squadron from 1974 to 2006. And held an Industrial First Aid Certificate from 1953-1978. Bob loved his dogs and was a member of the S.P.C.A. since 1980 and held a D.C. Statutes of Animals. Bob belonged to the Dog Obedience Club and was Vice President. Bob was honored by the City of Nelson by being chosen “Citizen of the year” in 1987. Most people will remember Bob for his cars. He was a member to the Kootenay Chapter since 1973, and was president in 1979. He started the Nelson Club and was President in 1985 and was president of the Vintage Car Club of Canada from 1987 to 1988. Bob was one of the group who worked hard to restore Street Car #23 and was on the Board of Directors. In October 2001 Bob was granted and honored with the title of “Freeman of the City”. Bob leaves behind his wife Doedy, daughter Roberta (Don) Cliff of Spokane Washington, grandsons, Joe (Kary) Minor, and Robert (Amy) Minor both of Spokane, granddaughters Susan (Dennis) Carter of Denver, Colorado, sister in law Darlene Gorbutt of Fleming, Colorado and also 2 nephews and 1 niece of California. Visitations will be held in the Thompson Funeral Service Ltd. 613 Ward Street, Nelson, B.C. on Friday, April 09, 2010 from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 12 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the Nelson Covenant Church, 702 Silica Street, Nelson, B.C. with Pastor Ardent Gustafson officiating. Interment to follow in the Nelson Memorial Park Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy friends or family may make donations to The Gideon’s, P.O. Box 3619. Stn Main, Guelph, Ontario. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thompson Funeral Service Ltd. (The Nelson Star 06 Apr 2010)
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For Posterity's Sake 
