February 26, 2025
In Loving Memory ~
On February 26th 2025, Robert Bustard ("Bobby Boogie", back in the day) ended his life peacefully at home after a struggle with Parkinson's
disease, surrounded by his adoring family. He was 81 years old.
Bob was born in Vancouver in 1943 and spent his childhood in North Vancouver and Revelstoke. His early adventures among the creeks and forests
of North Vancouver kindled a lifelong passion for fishing and the outdoors.
After graduating, Bob attended UBC to pursue a math degree, where he was soon smitten by a "very sweet girl" from Rossland named Louise. Despite tough competition from a crowd of fellow suitors, Bob managed to win her heart, an impressive feat long celebrated by his grateful descendants. Sure he was handsome, but more importantly, he made her laugh.
The pair were married in 1967 and began their lives and teaching careers together in Dawson Creek before moving to Duncan for several years. Then they headed to Liberia, where they spent three years teaching the children of mine employees. When they returned to Canada (Bob with a prized butterfly collection that still hangs on the wall to this day), they moved to the Comox Valley, settled into their careers, and had two children, Jeff and Stephen.
Bob taught math in the Valley for 30 years (when he wasn't hunting or fishing), first at Courtenay Junior, then at Lake Trail, and finally at Highland Secondary. He was a passionate and dedicated teacher who truly loved his job and cared about his students. He was beloved and respected by students and colleagues alike, not only for his skillful teaching, professionalism, and sense of humour, but for his ability to hypnotize chickens, which he was known to demonstrate in class.
When he retired, Bob was like a kid in a candy store. He hunted and fished and camped and hiked. He tied flies and built rods, and shared his knowledge and creations generously. A longtime music lover, he blew the dust off his guitar and levelled-up his playing, strumming and humming and jamming with friends to his heart's delight.
Though slow at the start, his social life picked up when he fell in with "the walkers", a jovial troupe of retired teachers who walk the airpark everyday before hitting the coffee shop. For over 20 years, the walkers were a cherished source of companionship, community, laughs and adventure.
When Bob was in his late 70s, Parkinson's entered the picture. As his abilities faded, Bob's
world grew smaller and smaller until finally, facing a sudden, severe decline in his condition, he made the courageous decision to end his life at home, on his own terms.
Bob was no angel. He didn't suffer fools. He could be stubborn and set in his ways. But he was a kind, decent, caring man 鈥� a loving husband and devoted father, brother, friend鈥攁nd a gentleman in the field.
Even at its cruelest, Parkinson's never claimed Bob's wit or his sly grin. In his last moments, before serenely drifting off to the sound of a crackling fireplace, he made us laugh.
It was, in his words, "a beautiful day"鈥� a fitting end to a beautiful life.
Bob is survived by his wife, Louise; children, Jeff (Asako) and Stephen (Ali); grandchildren, Oliver and Aya; brothers Brian (Carol) and David (Karen); a multitude of extended family and loving friends; and aWinchester Model 70.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the health care workers who
provided such wonderful care for Bob, with special thanks to those doctors who helped fulfill his wish for a medically assisted death, including Drs. Daws, Nap, Frolic, and Reggler.
Those wishing to honour Bob's memory may do so by making a donation to Parkinson Canada.
