MOSS, Charles Robert
July 20, 1922 – August 11, 2015
Following a full life, our Dad passed away peacefully in Nanaimo at the age of 93. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, our Mom Joan, in 2012. Bob was born in Cairo, Egypt, the only son of David and Mathilde Moss. The family returned to England shortly after his birth. Bob’s adventuresome spirit led him to join the RCAF where he served as a meteorologist including time stationed on a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean. Following his military service, he returned to college in England, pursued an education degree and met Joan as a student teacher. Married in 1949, Bob and Joan emigrated to Canada four years later with their two young children, first settling in Prince George. Bob made public education in British Columbia his life’s work as he willing took on new challenges eventually serving as Superintendent of Schools in three districts in the Province. During these years, the family expanded to 5 children and moved throughout the Province including time in Kamloops, Cowichan Bay, Vanderhoof and Port Alberni.
Bob will be mourned by his five children, their spouses, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was very proud of his extended family and imbued each of them with his spirit of adventure. R.M Patterson’s book The Dangerous River kindled Bob’s interest in western Canada and particularly the water. He kayaked the Peace River before construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, riverboated on many rivers and lakes in northern BC and explored many areas of the Pacific Northwest coast as a sailor and then a powerboater. Bob had a lifelong interest in science and technology which he believed was a key component of education. This interest carried on into retirement as he became a very active Ham radio operator, making friends locally and around the world. In addition to boating, Bob and Joan spent winters exploring western North America in their RV and travelled widely around the world visiting relatives and fellow Hams.
Our family would like to thank all of the caring staff at Dover House for helping to make Dad’s last years as comfortable and fulfilling as possible.
A memorial service will take place on Tuesday at 3:00 pm, September 8, at Sands Funeral Chapel, 187 Trunk Road, Duncan. A reception to follow. Should you wish, a donation to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada would be appreciated.