Robert Francis Little passed away on September 23, 2020 after suffering a severe heart attack, at the age of 88.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his first wife, Beverly and mother of his four children: Lori, Kim, Louise and Shawn; his grandchildren: Kristy, Sean, Simon, Nicholas and Luc; and numerous nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances, some of whom he stayed in contact with since childhood.
He was a good man, a loving husband and a caring father. He loved to pack his young family into the car for weekly Sunday outings which were sometimes fun and always educational or enlightening. He preferred to take the "scenic route".
A few of his favorite spots were UBC (the Japanese Garden or the barracks), SFU (for the architecture and the view), various houses that he and mom once lived in. But his favorite site was a pulp mill; there never failed to be one near the towns we lived in. He would tell his young children in the back seat, "breath deep - that is the smell of your bread and butter."
Tico, as he was affectionately known, was a well educated man with a thirst for knowledge and a love of music and theatre. He read everything - novels, newspapers, technical and political magazines. He had a large library of reference material including several versions of atlases, maps, National Geographic and Time magazines. He would frequently read his Time magazine late into the night while patiently waiting for one of his teen aged daughters to return home.
He was well-traveled. His career as a civil engineer took him to many places, not only throughout BC, but around the world, including Kenya, Argentina, Chile, and Australia. He also traveled extensively outside of work, visiting every continent and living in most of them.
After retiring, he and Pat moved to Craig Bay in Parksville, where they enjoyed 20 wonderful years. They were very active in the community, where they shared a love of dancing, singing, walking, theatre and symphonies. They also traveled extensively collecting wonderful memories from around the world.
Always nicely dressed and well-groomed, his appearance mirrored his personality - pleasant and well organized, proud but not boastful. He had a full, rewarding life; and will always be remembered as a genuinely humble, kind, loving and compassionate man - a true role model. Farewell Tico - rest in peace. We love you Dad.
Funeral services to be announced.
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