Robert Gordon Taylor CAPT (RET'D)

Bob was born on MAY 3, 1942, in North Vancouver. He grew up in the neighborhood of 27th Ave and Ontario Street in Vancouver and attended King Edward High School. In 1960 he joined the RCAF and was trained as a Safety Systems Technician. He was posted to several flying bases including RCAF bases St Hubert and Val-d’Or QC and Cold Lake AB. In 1968 while at Val-d’Or he met and married Hilkka Jodouin. There were no children from this marriage.

In 1973 Bob was accepted into the University Training Plan for serving Military members and enrolled at the Royal Roads Military College in Victoria BC. After two years he moved to the Royal Military College in Kingston ON where he graduated in 1977 with a degree in Engineering Management and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant into the AERE Military classification. He was subsequently posted to more flying bases including CFB North Bay, CFB Trenton and finally to NDHQ in Ottawa. In 1982 he was accepted into post graduate training at the University of Arizona in Tucson AZ where he obtained a post graduate degree in Master of Science (Aerospace Engineering). He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1992 and with Hilkka moved to Courteney BC where he lived in retirement pursuing his love of Jazz music. In his final month he moved into “The Views,” a long-term care home, in Courtenay. Bob passed away peacefully at “The Views” on December 15, 2021.

 He was predeceased by his parents Richard and Ivy (Hall) Taylor. He is survived by his loving wife Hilkka at “The Views,” his brother Bill Taylor in Kingston ON and nieces and nephews.    

Bob was diagnosed with MS in 1974 and battled the disease throughout the rest of his life. He never complained about it, rather he realized that he had to live with it, so he accepted it and made the best of his life in a very positive manner. He will be missed by all his relatives and friends. Per Ardua Ad Astra.