Robert Charles MacArthur

MacARTHUR, Robert Charles…

July 20, 1930 – July 17, 2019.  We have lost a remarkable man.  Robert MacArthur passed away at the age of 88 having enjoyed a long and full life.  Husband of the late Doris MacArthur(Quinney), he will be sadly missed by his  three daughters and his son in laws, Debra MacArthur (Barrie Weiner), Dale MacArthur ( Stuart Ewing) and Dawn MacArthur Turner ( Scott Turner), his grandchildren Christopher MacArthur, Katie Turner, Maddie Turner and Zac Turner and his great grandchildren Jackson MacArthur and Hannah MacArthur.

Bob was the eldest son of Alexander and Ethel MacArthur, brother of Don, Carolyn (Heurter) and Norman.  He grew up in London Ontario and has wonderful memories and stories about his childhood in old south, his high school years at South Collegiate and his various jobs over the years.  He started working at a young age and especially loved to tell how he was the paper boy for Mr. and Mrs. Labatt.  He was a taxi driver, drove for Labatt’s Brewery and joined the Militia.   He was never without an interest or involved in a group or activity.  Bob graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1953, attended London Teachers College and spent many years working for the London Board of Education.  He taught school in Shedden, Hyde Park, Boyle Memorial, Westminster, and Saunders.  When he wasn’t in the classroom, he coached rifle range, basketball, cross country,  track and for many years was very involved in the London Cadet Corp, retiring as the commanding officer from 1974-78.

As a young man, he played first Viola in the London Symphony Orchestra, was an avid singer in the choir, was active in the Optimist Club, bowled at Bowlarama, curled at the Ivanhoe, and was a member at The Hyland Golf and Country club.  He fixed cars, could make anything, and together with his wife Doris, cleared a lot and built their family cottage at Kettle Point, at Lake Huron.

Summers were spent at the family cottage at Kettle Point, while he worked with the cadets at Ipperwash Cadet Camp.  He cherished those summers as he spent time with family and friends.

He was honorable, had a strong work ethic and expected the same from those he loved. His standards and expectations were high, he valued hard work, dependability and loyalty and he would do anything and everything for the people he cared for.  He was extremely proud of his daughters and loved to talk about his kids and grandchildren.   His home and cottage were always open to family and friends.  Those who knew him admired his sense of humor, energy and intelligence and respected him as he succeeded at all he took on.

He loved to travel, in the early years it was car trips with the family.  Florida was a favorite destination!  He took family to Expo 68, the ‘76 Montreal Olympics, Expo 86 in Vancouver and the Vancouver/ Whistler Olympics in  2010.  His extensive world travels included Canada, USA, the Caribbean, Jamaica, UK, France, Austria, Italy, Spain, Greece, with many cruise destinations in between.

In 1969, he started a small business in the basement of the family home and over the years built it into the successful business it is today.  Today DARLO Enterprise continues with his daughter Dale at the helm.

In the 90s he and Doris spent their summers at their waterfront home in Bayfield Ontario.  They hosted parties, family gatherings and even a large family wedding.  He is best known by many in Bayfield as being the “owner of the cottage flat bedded into town from Kettle point” and he was recognized for driving around on his lawn tractor as he worked the cottage in town and the one on the lake.  Favourite past times included walking his dog Sandy up and down Long Hill Road, alongside the Marina.

During his last few years he enjoyed his life at Royalcliffe Retirement Residence and the new friends he made during his time there.  Our thanks to the staff for the support and assistance they gave to him during his time there.  As well our thanks to the staff at Parkwood Hospital, and LHSC for their care and support over the past few years.

Bob MacArthur lived his life to the fullest.  He worked hard and he played hard. He never backed down, he never gave up and that same determination stayed with him to the very end of his life as he faced his challenges with the strength and dignity, we knew and admired.He was loved and respected by many and he will be sadly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Parkwood Amputee Care Program c/o St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, PO Box 5777 STN B, London, ON N6A 4V2, and the London Regional Cancer c/o London Health Sciences Foundation, 747 Baseline Road East, London, ON  N6C 2R6. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com.