Obituary of Robert Arthur Etherington

Bob, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the Sarcee Hospice on Sunday, July 22, 2007 at the age of 85 years, surrounded by his family. Besides his loving wife Audrey, Bob is survived by daughters, Jeanne (John) and Brenda; as well as his grandchildren, Jennifer (Joe), Rob (Sheri) and Laurie (Dan). Bob was born at Cobham, Surrey, England, educated and brought up at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, England. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and was subsequently posted to Calgary under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in September 1941. He met his future wife Audrey, in November 1941, and they were married in August 1943. He returned to England in March 1944. His wife Audrey, as a war bride, followed him to England in August 1944 where they remained until March 1948 when they immigrated to Canada with their daughter Jeanne. Bob built his own house in 1949 in Tuxedo Park where he and Audrey lived for over fifty-one years. Bob’s working life was spent in the construction industry, first as a journeyman carpenter and joiner. He was employed by the City of Calgary for twenty-five years as a building inspector, inspecting the construction of many high-rise buildings in the downtown area including the Calgary Tower. In later years, Bob formed the Etherington Inspection Company which he ran until his retirement in 1992. He was a founding member and Past President of the Alberta Building Officials Association, Secretary – Treasurer of the Canadian Building Officials Association and a member of the National Research Council. Bob was a long time active member of St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church and later a member of St. Barnabas Anglican Church and Good Shepherd Church. He took great pleasure in photography and was a member of the Calgary Colour Photo Club and the Royal Canadian Legion 264 Branch for many years. He was a keen gardener, winning many prizes at the Calgary Horticultural shows. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Thursday, July 26, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Good Shepherd Moravian Church (6311 Norfolk Drive N.W.) on Friday, July 27, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Hospice Calgary, (c/o Sarcee Hospice) Suite 900 833 – 4 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 3T5, Telephone: (403) 263-4525, www.hospicecalgary.com. or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433. In living memory of Robert Etherington, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.