Robert Addie
Died: February 13, 2008 | Place: London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital
Obituary
Dr. Robert “Bob” Addie, PHD Eng.
Jan 02, 1930 – Feb 13, 2008
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the death of Robert “Bob” Addie; a kind-hearted, gentle man and a devoted husband, father, papa, brother, son, and friend.
For 53 years he and his wife Margo were best friends and partners. Together they made many personal sacrifices to give their three children, Linda, Mark, and Craig, the best opportunities for a successful life.
Born in Buckhaven, Fife, Scotland, as a young man, Bob helped run the family butcher shop before following his desire to further his education and pursue a career as a professional engineer and teacher.
Described as a gifted student, at the age of 19, Bob graduated his Mechanical engineering degree (with honours) from the Dundee College of Technology, followed by his teaching certificate from Edinburgh Moray House College. He finished his Masters (with honours) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow; and next completed his Professional Engineers designation. Bob attended Althouse College here in London and finally in 1978 achieved his PHD in Engineering after studying at the UWO wind tunnel. He was modest about his academic accomplishments.
Teaching maths and science was Bob’s absolute pleasure and he enjoyed his students immensely. He taught high school level in both Scotland and Canada for nearly twenty years before joining the Maths Department at Fanshawe College where he taught until 1991.
In retirement, he enjoyed travelling and spending time with his ‘little ones’ who he loved dearly. He was ‘Papa’ to five grandchildren: Chloe, Caleb, Liam, Amanda, and the newest arrival, Mitchell, who sadly, he never had a chance to meet.
Bob was welcoming and warm-hearted with his extended family members; (Linda’s) Bill Theo and his family (London area); (Mark’s) Teri & the Brunet family (Hearst, ON), (Chloe’s Mummy) Deanna, the Steele and Becevel families (N.Falls), (Craig’s) Tiffany and the Boe family (St Thomas).
Bob is remembered as an intelligent, thoughtful, and well-mannered man by those he taught, those he studied and worked with, as well as those he befriended in his 78 years.
Friends may visit the family at A. Millard George Funeral Home 60 Ridout Street south from 1:30 to 4:30 on Monday, February 18, 2008. Bob’s wife and children will be holding a private service following the visitation.
It was Bob’s wish that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to a Cancer Foundation of your choice. The family would also like to offer the option of making donations to the Endowed Care of the Elderly Research Fellowship, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, Parkwood Hospital London (519) 646-6085. On-line condolences can be made at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca
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Our sympathies to the Addie family at this time of sorrow. You are in our thoughts and prayers, Chris & Maryann
Dear Margo and Family Addie:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love. Bonnie and Gord Parsons
Dear Margo, Linda, Mark and Craig,
Charlie and I would like to send our condolences from Scotland to you and your families on the passing of Bob on Wednesday. You must be very sad as he was a lovely, gentle man. We have many fond memories of Bob from our days in Petrolia. Some of our most treasured possessions are photographs taken by Bob of our children when they were babies. Our thoughts will be with you from Dumbarton on Monday afternoon.
Much love,
Charlie and Rose.
There are no words that could come to my mind to best express our feelins when getting the sad-sad news of Bob’s passing! We all knew about his struggle with his illness and admired him, for he always had a smile and a kind word. Bob and Margo are to us not only surrogate parents but the most perfect husband and wife team, and we learned from them patience and kindness and immense trust in each other and unconditional love and hope and serenity.
Thank you Bob for making us feel part of the family, offering support when the times were rough and encouragement when we needed it!
To Margo and Linda, Mark,Craig and their families, our condolences!
Ana, Meme, David and Dolores
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, with our sincere condolences and love,
Ray, Ruby & Tim
Our deepest condolences to your family, friends and loved ones,
From the staff of Hearst Air
Mr. Addie, taught me math at Fanshawe College in the late 70+óGé¼Gäós. I can still recall his gentle manner in his teaching methods, and general discussions in the class. He was one of the more popular instructors. I remember being surprised to meet Mr.Addie again later at Fanshawe Yacht Club. I dug out my old membership books, and found that he had been a member there from 1984-96. I don+óGé¼Gäót recall seeing him sailing, but I know he came out to help during the club+óGé¼Gäós work parties.
I would like to express my condolences to the Addie family on the passing of Mr. Addie, ( Bob, as he told me to call him when I met him at FYC ).
Jens Biskaborn
I’m very sorry to hear of Bob Addie’s passing. I’ll always remember him as a man of great character and a close friend of the family from my childhood.
My thoughts are with the family in their time of grief.
Warm regards,
– Terry
Bob was my first cousin, and I first met him at his mother’s home when I was 8 and he was 18. Despite the age difference, Bob immediately struck up a rapport with me and showed his wonderful caring and thoughtful nature to both me and my mother (very recently widowed at that time). He made a lasting impression on me for he had a tremendous family resemblance to my father, and he was a great role model for a youngster of my age. We kept in touch even after he left for Canada, and Carole and I were very thrilled, Margo, when you and Bob were able to come to our wedding, and little Linda (for that’s what she was at that time!) was Carole’s star bridesmaid. We will miss you Bob. Rest in peace. Our thoughts are very much with you Margo, and with Linda and the boys whom we have never met.
Dear Margo:
Elinor and I are saddened to hear that Bob has gone. I will always remember him as a unique humorist amongst us first generation graduate students at the BLWT, with a humour that had a laconic Scottish flavour. He was a good comrade in arms …and counsellor to us… in those early days, who often enjoyed a quiet beer with us youngsters at the Friday happy hour at Western. I will always have fond memories of him.
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
David & Elinor Craze, Perth, Western Australia
Dear Margo, Linda, Mark and Craig and families,
Cedo Strizic wrote to let me know the sad news that Bob has died. I send our family’s sincere condolences and love to you all. We know what it is to lose a wonderful husband and father and how hard it is to accept that he has gone forever – as have those twinkling eyes that I recall so well from the 1970’s.
Bob was a delightful man and a great friend to me as young teacher in a new role and his warmth and kindness which soon extended to the whole Addie family, made me feel so welcome in Canada.
I will never forget him, his quirky, everpresent humour, shrewd wisdom and gentle manner and I feel very lucky to have linked up with him and Margo and Linda in 2004.
Love to you all
Iwik
(as he used to call me. ..Kiwi spelled backwards!)
alias Janfrie (Hogg) Wakim
Margo, Linda and all the Addie clan,
Please accept my condolences.Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Bob personally, I felt like I knew him through the stories Margo and Linda shared with me.
My thoughts are with you.
Jane(First Choice).
Margo & Family,
We remember with great fondness of Bob and you in Kirkcaldy and the many happy times Susie & Alec spent with you and later on when Janice and John
met with you in Spain.
Our hearts go out to you as a family at this sad time.
John , janice & Susie.
Margo and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Jeanne