Robert William STEWART

STEWART, Robert William O.C., F.R.S., F.R.S.C., Ph.D. Passed away peacefully in Victoria on January 19, 2005. Bob is survived by his wife Anne-Marie; his children Anne (Jack), Brian (Rosemary), Philip (Nicole) and Colin (Terry); his grandchildren Lara (Darryl), Michael, Alex and Caitlin and his great-grandson Julian. Bob was born in Alberta on August 21, 1923, raised in Olds and Calgary. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Queen's University and his Ph.D. in Physics from Cambridge University. He returned to Canada in the early fifties and became one of the first Canadian oceanographers. He had a distinguished and rewarding career as a research scientist and research manager for 40 years and was still interested in his field in his retirement; until a year ago he could be seen almost daily at UVic having lunch at the University Club and attending physics seminars. He participated in and led many international experiments and committees, travelling widely. Bob received many Canadian and international awards, but was most gratified by his "F.R.S.". At the end of his life he was content to be treated as one of the grandfathers of oceanography and was called upon to lecture on the "early days". He was a proud Canadian, choosing to dedicate his long career to Canada. He had an inquiring mind, was fierce in his search for knowledge, yet kind and loving in his family life, where he was considered affectionately as an "absent-minded professor". Private cremation. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com. McCall Bros. of Victoria, B.C. (250) 385-4465 Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 1/22/2005