Obituary of William Robert Allan

June 6, 1931 - October 11, 2022

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.”

 

Bob Allan slipped away October 11, 2022, surrounded by family, accompanied by poetry, stories and song. He was 91.

 

Bob considered any day spent on water a good day. He bequeathed to his kids and grandkids a steadfast work ethic, love for the outdoors and an unapologetic stubborn streak.

 

He was quiet and kind in equal measure.

 

Sherrill was Bob’s world. They climbed Mount Royal on their first date, married in Hawkesbury in 1958, then raised their four kids in three provinces. They travelled the world, danced the strathspey and binged-watched British mysteries.

 

William Robert was born in 1931 to Donald and Eula. He was raised in Bronte where his family ran Allan’s Drug Store, a pharmacy at the heart of village life. He was the eldest of four children. Predeceased by Paul and Walter, he is survived by Mary Jane.

 

Bob was a graduate of Royal Military College in Kingston and served in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. In 1954, he earned a second chemical engineering degree from the University of Toronto and joined the British American Oil Company. During his career, he worked with Gulf Oil, Petro Canada and Husky. He almost never missed an RMC reunion.

 

Bob was an active member of the 78th Highlanders and a founding member of the Schiehallion Scottish Heritage Society. He loved pipes and drums and turned over Januarys to Burns Nights (plural) — his final one celebrated on Zoom. He belonged to the Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club, played a mean game of bocce and was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and the Naval Officers Association of Calgary.

 

A diehard Stamps fan, Bob was a Trivial Pursuit ace and a history buff who would never bypass a roadside marker. You could usually find him lost in a book.

 

During his final years, which were not easy, Bob approached days with tenacity and grace.

 

A boffo grandfather and great-grandfather, Pops always had time for one more bedtime story. One day, Janelle, Schevann, Trekk, Dan, Owen, James, Will and Leo will pay it forward.

 

Bob leaves behind Sherrill (“my dear”), his cherished partner of 64 years, and will be hugely missed by his kids: Bruce (Debbie), Peter (Nancy), Sue (Scott) and Keith (Laura). His lessons in generosity will guide our days.

 

Bob wanted us to extend gratitude to We Care and the teams on Unit 73 at Rockyview for round-the-clock tenderness and care.

 

Even on his final day, he was reciting poetry:

 

“And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.”

 

A family celebration will be held. Internment at Oakville’s Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery will take place next spring. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of William Allan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.