Robert Eric VAN DINE

VAN DINE, Robert Eric Peacefully in hospital in Ottawa, on June 15, 2005, age 87. Born in Fredericton, N.B. on July 7, 1917, the son of Robert B. and Julia (Pugh) Van Dine. Husband of Aline Collie, father of Robert (Julie) of Haileybury, David (Marjorie) of Ottawa and Richard (Judy) of Toronto, grandfather to Dennis and Natalie (both of Haileybury and Toronto). Survived by sister Barbara Lord (the late Arthur Lambert Lord) of Toronto. Predeceased by brothers Douglas, Reid and Ernest (Hazel), and sister Charlotte. Survived also by brother-in-law Ron (Jane), sisters-in-law Muriel, Corinne and many nephews and nieces. Robert left Fredericton as a young man in the 1930s to pursue music in Toronto (Royal Conservatory), New York (Julliard) and London, England (Royal College of Music). His music career included terms as baritone soloist and music director at Knox, St. Andrew's and Kingsway churches. For 25 years, he was soloist in the annual Ottawa production of the St. Matthew Passion. He was involved in many CBC programs, including his own recital series on radio and the Voices of Van Dine on television. He conducted the Tudor Singers, the Ottawa Choral Society and the Concordia Male Choir. He also was music director of the Savoy Society of Ottawa and for many productions of the Orpheus Society. In his retirement, he was recruited by Aline to be master of ceremonies for the popular BNA Act. Robert supplemented his music career by working for the public service, first for the British High Commission during the Second World War and then for the Unemployment Insurance Commission until his retirement in 1974. A Memorial Service will be held at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street on Saturday, June 25, 2005 at 2pm. Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 6/18/2005 - 6/22/2005