Obituary of Robert Vernon HEATHCOTT (P. Geol)

October 17, 1928 – Calgary, Alberta
December 24, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Bob passed away in Calgary at the age of 92.  He was predeceased by his wife Mary (Shaw) in 2005. Bob’s sisters, all deceased, were Betty Angus-Smith, Sally Lumsden, Anne Roberts and Jeanne Michener.  

Bob was born in Calgary to Captain R.V. Heathcott (DLS, ALS) and Emma DesRosiers. He grew up in the Mission district and attended Holy Angel and St. Mary’s schools. Bob played hockey in the Calgary Buffalo organization, the junior A Wetaskiwin Canadians and football for the West End Tornadoes. He finished his high school education at St. Michaels College in Toronto while continuing to play football and Junior A Hockey. Upon graduation, Bob attended the University of Michigan on a Hockey Scholarship where “Happy” earned his BSc in Geology as well as winning two NCAA Championships and was twice named All American. Bob finished off his playing career with the CPR Beavers of the Alberta Senior league.

In 1952, Bob returned to Calgary and began his tenure in the Western Canadian oil patch. In the early years he worked for Sun Oil and Scurry Rainbow Oils among others. In 1968, Bob struck out on his own with the incorporation of Heather Oil Ltd. which is still an active operating company today. Much of Heather’s early business was conducted from the West End Legion which was frequented by many of Bob’s heroes.

In 1955, Bob wed Mary, the fifth of seven Shaw sisters originally from Oyen, Alberta. They lived for many years in Haysboro where Bob continued his hockey passion coaching the Haysboro Pee Wees and Bantam AA Blackhawks. Bob and Mary made many lifelong friends in the community and they loved to share the stories from those happy times.

Bob and Mary retired to the East Shore of Kootenay Lake in the 1980’s to live their passions for gardening and fishing. Bob and Mary also loved the golf course and he was a long time hacker at Canyon Meadows G & CC and Kokanee Springs Golf Club.

Bob loved a good story, a good laugh and a good scotch. He recently returned to Calgary to be closer to family and friends. Bob is survived by his four sons and their families; Bob Jr. and Sydney (Keltey and Conor), Mark and Carol (Nick and Alex), Tom and Linda (Patrick, Ron and Charlie) and Jim and Marie (George).

There will be a private family service at the Boswell Memorial Cemetery at a later date, and a celebration of his life in Calgary sometime in the post-Covid future. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Bob’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.  If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to your local Food Bank. 

The family would like to thank all the staff at Amica Brittania for their wonderful care and support for Bob.