Obituary of Bob Vickers

August 6, 1934 – Montreal, Quebec

December 13, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Bob was a healthy and proud 90-year-old, whose death was the result of a fall from a ladder, one month before. Despite the quick response of EMS and our neighbours and the best of care at Foothills Medical Centre, while putting up a strong fight, he succumbed to the injuries and complications from the fall and passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Bob was born in Montreal, QC, and was raised with five siblings in Otterburn Park, QC; a place he always called “home” despite leaving to join the Air Force several years after graduating from Montreal High School, where he was on the ski team, winning many medals and trophies in numerous events. He attended officer school in Canada and was stationed at 3 Wing, Zweibrucken, Germany, working as an air traffic controller. While serving in Europe he was Captain of the RCAF Ski Team which placed second in an Allied Forces Ski Competition held in France. He returned to Canada via the Maritimes, but his love of skiing and the mountains drew him to Alberta in the late 1960s, where he continued working as an air traffic controller until his retirement in 1993. He remained a proud veteran all his life.

Bob was a member of the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) for more than fifty years and was a level 3 instructor. Ted Rhodes introduced him to the Alberta Association of Disabled Skiers (CADS Calgary), where he formed lifelong friendships and volunteered for over fifty years. Guiding a blind skier in the Paralympic Games in Austria to a medal finish was a highlight for Bob.

After retirement, he volunteered at Bow Cycle, where he enjoyed the camaraderie while repairing used bikes to donate at Christmas, and participated at the age of 76 in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

A proud moment for Bob was being named the Calgary Booster Club’s Sportsman of the Year in 2011 in recognition of his volunteering with CADS Calgary, as well as being a founding member and active commissioner in the Calgary 55 Hockey Association.  He also played two to three times a week, reluctantly hanging up his skates just a few years ago. Bob remained an active athlete in many sports like golf, cross-country skiing, biking, and hiking, right until his passing.

Bob loved the outdoors and knew the mountains like the back of his hand. He was happy to share his knowledge and passion with others at any opportunity, inspiring them to get out into nature. A piece of advice from Bob: At the end of a hard hike, boiling up a pot of Ichiban soup would revive the body and soul. In 1990, a highlight for Bob was canoeing the Nahanni River with his brother-in-law Dave Lawson and a group of friends for an entire month; it was one of his favourite adventures, recounted many times. He was one of the best storytellers and had much to share. He loved to work in the yard or the garage with the door open and have neighbours pass by and chat about life.

Bob is survived and will be forever missed and loved by his wife of 35 years, Barbara Aitken. They shared a wonderful life of outdoor adventure, travels to places like Tibet and Africa, and family occasions, spending time with friends, and supporting each other. She will miss him deeply. Bob is also survived and will be missed by his siblings, Janet Bisaillon, Ann Lawson, and Murray Vickers; as well as sons, Rob and James (Janette) and their mother Joan Vickers, and daughters, Mavourneen (Mark) and Tara; several nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, his son-in-law Mark Kosak, and his stepdaughter Heather Bala Edwards.

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be arranged in the Spring.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S. (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society), Box 570, 1441 Aviation Park N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 Telephone: (403) 295-1811, www.stars.ca  or CADS Calgary, Canada Olympic Park (Frank King Day Lodge) 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary, AB, T3B 5R5, Telephone: (403)-286-8050, https://cadscalgary.ca/.

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

In living memory of Bob Vickers, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.