January 22, 1927 – January 23, 2015
After a celebration of his 88th birthday, Bob passed away peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. His family was with him and he shared many happy memories with them.
He will be missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Marion (Meikle) and his children, Margot (David Moore), Andi (Cary McWhinnie) and Rob McLaren. A wonderful grandfather to Kirsten Marten (Jeremy), Graeme Moore (Erin), Krista McWhinnie (Owen Glossop), Kyle and Kevin McWhinnie and great-grandfather to Saul and Luke Marten, Addison and Logan Moore and Samantha and Alistair Glossop. He is also survived by his brother, John McLaren and his sisters, Daphne Allen and Diane McLaren.
He loved his country and served it well – working in various government departments and served overseas as Canada’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles, Ambassador to Somalia, Madagascar, Comoros, High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ambassador to Mozambique, Angola and Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The family would like to thank Dr. Schachter and the nurses on the renal floor and P.D. nurses for their attentive and caring care at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 2nd at 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria B.C. A reception will follow at the Union Club of British Columbia. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Sheila Rowand
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The Jeanes Family Our sincerest condolences to all his family for the loss of Bob McLaren. Our father, Dr. Bill Jeanes, who passed away in 2014, considered Bob a great friend and professional colleague and spoke of him often during his last months. Dad cherished the memories of their travel together to view development projects in Asia and Africa. In fact, he always said that Bob’s encouragement had been pivotal in leading him into the work that he loved for so many years. We hope you are comforted by the fact that Bob has left a great legacy. Deepest sympathies.
Brian Jeanes
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Annley Kelly Dear Marion
It is with deep and heartfelt sadness that I learned today of your dear husband’s passing.
I am holding you and your family in loving prayer and trust the tender mercy of God will
Comfort you at this time of loss.
Annley Kelly
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Catherine McLaren So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing – he was such a wonderful man and a pleasure to know with his gentle nature and lovely smile. He certainly loved his family and brought a lot of joy to those who knew him. My love to the family at this time.
Catherine Lebbetter McLaren
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Alexandra Johnston I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. McLaren. We spent only a year together in Dar-es-Salaam, my father Ted Johnston was posted there from 1977-79, but I remember him as a warm and friendly man, and was disappointed when it was time for him to move on. My thoughts are with you.
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Colin McWhinnie and Cheryl Anderson Our hearts go out to you during this sad time.
Bob leaves a legacy of service to his country and devotion to his family.
He will surely be missed, and fondly remembered.Colin and Cheryl
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Bob and Anne Bell We are so sorry that we will not be with you on Monday, Marion. We know that you will have the strong support of your family and David Stewart. You have been so much in our thoughts. We will greatly’ miss Bob,s presence as we look down from the choir area. “Well done, ye good and faithful servant” .
Anne and Bob Bell
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Diana & Migs Turner Dear Marion:
We were very sorry to read of Robert’s passing in Thursday’s Times Colonist. Bob was a great guy and contributed so much to everyone over the years.
I got to know Bob initially in the Victoria Branch of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs when I was on his Executive Committee when he was our excellent President.
…and then we got to know you both when you moved into the Hamilton, a few houses up Oliver Street from our home at 1386 Oliver Street. Unfortunately we haven’t seen anything of you both since our son Michael & his family moved into our Oliver street home and we moved into Carlton House.You are very much in our thoughts.
With our love and very best wishes,
Diana & Migs
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Maurice (Migs) & Diana Turner,
Carlton House,
2080 Oak Bay Avenue,
Victoria, B.C. V8R 6W2
Canada
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Andrew McAlister I was saddened to learn of Bob’s passing and wanted to express my condolences to his family and friends. Bob was the Ambassador during my first posting in Tanzania and one of the most important mentors in my life. I learned so much from him about leadership, values and humanity. He was one of the finest representatives of Canada I ever encountered and a model for those who came after him. By chance, I am in Tanzania at the moment and will make a point of stopping in at the house on Toure Drive to lay some flowers. Marnie, I hope that knowing that you have the support and sympathy of so many of Bob’s friends and colleagues will give you some comfort at this difficult time.
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James Rusk Bob was one of the finest of Canada’s once-exemplary diplomatic corps that I encountered in my career at The Globe and Mail. We met when I went to Bangladesh in 1974 to report from the front lines of what was the global food crisis of the early 1970s. Both his briefings and his hospitality were of the highest quality.
We did not meet again until I was reporter in the Ottawa bureau. Bob was in Ottawa in his capacity as an official of the Commonwealth secretariat. At that event – I now forget what it was – he told me a wonderful story about the perils of diplomatic – and I may say say journalistic – reporting. In his last report as High Coma few missioner to Bangladesh, he said that Sheikh Mujibar Rahman seem firmly ensconced in power. Bob left the country and weeks later the sheikh was deposed.
I want to offer my condolences to the family, and to say that from the little time I spent with Bib, I know what a wonderful thing it must have been to spend the years you had with him.
Jim Rusk
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Leona lewis So many wonderful memories of such a special person. Love to all the family.
Much love, Lynn
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Shelagh Campbell Our thoughts are with you Aunt Marni and cousins Rob, Andi and Margot, from the Campbell-Homola’s in Edmonton (Shelagh, Bob, Ellen and Caelin). Very glad to have had several good visits with Uncle Bob in these past few years. A life well lived.
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Ted Johnston My wife and I mourn the passing of Bob who was an exemplary leader and equally a good companion during our time together in Dar es Salaam (1977-78). Our thoughts are with the family, especially Marnie, who shared so well maintaining morale and cohesion of all the staff and representing the country to our hosts. My colleagues and I benefited from his counsel and direction in all our activities and we shall keep him in our hearts and memories. .
Ted and Jennifer Johnston
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Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island Margot, it was with sadness that we learned of the passing of your father. Our heartfelt condolences to you and David and your family during this time of loss. What a wonderful life for you all to celebrate. You are in our thoughts.
Your friends and colleagues at the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
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Anna Burwash I feel fortunate to have gone on a CIIA study tour of Southern Africa where Bob was our very diligent resource person. We learned so much. Afterward, I enjoyed seeing Bob at conferences and hearing about what he was doing overseas and in sunny Victoria.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
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Berny and Les McWhinnie We wish to express our sincere sympathy to Marion and family
Bob was a power of example for all of us with that upbeat,positive attitude he maintained in spite of his many health problems
Berny and Les McWhinnie
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Patrick McLaren From all the McLarens here in Vancouver, our condolences to all of you. Rest in peace to my grand uncle Bob. Lovingly, Patrick McLaren.
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Kevin McWhinnie Please accept our heartfelt sympathy and a prayer that the sadness of his passing may be eased by the warmth of family and a lifetime of cherished memories.
Kevin & Paula McWhinnie & family
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Kathy Matheson May you find comfort and peace in the company of each other as you celebrate the incredible life of your beloved Robert. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Kathy & Don Matheson & family
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Kim and David Peacock Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
The Peacock Family
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Mike Levin Deepest condolences on the passing of a memorable and loved man. I hope the McLaren family can find strength in each other to get through this time.
Mike Levin and Victoria Sunderland
My condolences to the McLaren and Moore families at this time.
Sincerely,
Sheila Rowand