Obituary of Robert Livingstone Innes

September 14, 1929 - Hamilton, Ontario

January 26, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Robert (Bob) Innes beloved husband of Gillian Ann Innes (nee Stiver), of Calgary, AB, died peacefully on the morning of Friday, January 26, 2024, at the age of 94 years.

Born in Hamilton, ON he grew up and went to school and university in Ontario before moving his young family to Galveston, Texas and a decade later, back to Canada to work in Calgary.

Bob was forever the optimist, sure that we were heading the right way down the hiking trail, sure that it wouldn’t rain or snow, sure that people would become more kind-hearted, sure that the world would continue to be a better place. He was gentle, funny, generous, and honest. But most of all, he was kind. He made no distinctions among people, abhorring inequality, injustice, and discrimination. In all that he did, Bob worked tirelessly to promote peace and collaboration among families, communities, and institutions.

From his early days as canoe guide at Camp Wapomeo, until just a few months ago, Bob loved shepherding his family, friends and even complete strangers into the beauty and magic of nature. He was most at ease and at his happiest paddling a canoe in Algonquin Park, sailing his Sunfish in the Galveston Bayou, backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, telemark skiing in Mistaya, or riding his bicycle around the Glenmore Reservoir.

Professionally, Bob never really retired. His career in hospital administration began in Toronto interning at the Hospital for Sick Children in 1960, and then as assistant administrator at the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre. In Galveston, he was director of the Shriners Burns Institute for eight years. With the Shriners, he successfully lobbied the US Congress to pass legislation that prohibited the use of flammable materials for children’s nightwear, a proud career moment. In Calgary, he was executive director of the Alberta Children’s Hospital for twenty years, where he helped to design and build a new hospital focused on child-centred community and family-based prevention. For many years, he worked to support health systems development with Tsuut’ina and Siksika Nations. Siksika Nation honoured Bob with the Blackfoot name Saa Kii naamabKa (Running Across).

Bob sat on many Calgary-based community boards, all focused on promoting equity and health. He and Gill volunteered with Canadian Executive Overseas Services, first in Ghana (1992) and then Thailand (1994). These were life-changing experiences for them both.

Above all else, Bob cherished his family. He is survived by three children, Sacha Kenward Innes (Greg Foord), Guy Livingstone Innes, and Melissa Plaunt Innes (Chris Malley), and two grandchildren, Grace Gillian Elander and Ethan Livingstone Elander.

As Bob himself said so many times, “I have a wonderful family. I have had a great life.” Though his life was long and full, his love and kindness will be so very missed by his family and friends. As Krishnamurti said, “peace is of the heart, not of the mind. To know peace, you have to find out what beauty is.” To us, you were Beauty, Baba. May you go in peace.

We are deeply grateful to Merric Morrison, and the staff at Staywell Manor for lovingly caring for Bob.

At Bob’s request, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Miskanawah (https://miskanawah.ca/donate). Guided by Indigenous teachings, Miskanawah offers supportive services to children, youth, and families in the Calgary area as they strengthen circles of self, family, community, and culture.  

A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held at The Inn on Officer’s Garden (150 Dieppe Drive SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7L4) on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bob’s family here.