Ian Harold Robinson

Ian Harold Robinson

1944 - 2025

Ian Harold Robinson was born in Kingston-Upon-Hull, England on June 5, 1944 and passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025 surrounded by people who loved him ferociously.

Dad grew up on Adderbury Grove with his parents, Ethel and Harold Robinson, and sister Jean Robinson. As a young boy, in addition to getting into trouble as young boys like to do, dad loved to swim, play water polo and rugby.

After completing his schooling at Wilberforce High School at the age of 16, dad went to work at Ellerman’s Wilson Line, a prominent British shipping company. It is here where he met our mum, Sue, who was working as a comptometer operator.

In 1962 at the age of 18, Dad decided to enlist and join REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), a corps of the British Military responsible for maintaining, repairing and manufacturing the army’s equipment which included vehicles, weapons, tanks, aircraft and communications systems. Dad enjoyed being a solider and engineer and the Challenger 2 tank and Warrior infantry vehicle were two of his favourite army vehicles to work on.

Shortly after dad and mum married in September of 1963, Dad was posted to Krefeld, Germany, where the British Military had a large presence. It was during this posting that David and Julie were born (Hanover, Germany; 1965 and 1967 respectively).

After various postings (including England, Outer Hebrides (Scotland) and Suffield, Alberta, Canada), it was beautiful Canada that dad and mum loved so much that they wanted to immigrate. So in 1979, Dad left the military and we became Canadian citizens settling in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Dad spent the remainder of his working career as an instrument technician on both the British side (BATUS) and then Canadian National Defence in Suffield, Alberta. It was here he was responsible for the inspection, repair, test and maintenance of optronics, laser and electrical systems for all combat vehicles and battle tanks.

While posted in Canada, our family (along with our dog) made a trip, via car and small patchy tent trailer, to Disneyland. We stopped in various States along the way (KOA campgrounds) and this truly was a trip we would never forget.

Dad was a wonderful sportsman and enjoyed many duck and goose hunting forays with British Army friends, on one occasion having to explain to not confuse a goose with a swan. Dad was a lover of all living creatures, especially dogs, which he had quite a few of over the years.

To say that dad loved his Six Nations Rugby is an understatement. Even though dad was from England, his favorite team was the New Zealand All Blacks, but he was also known to cheer for the South Africa Springboks.

Dad loved being involved in all aspects of his childrens’ and later on, grandchildrens’ and great-grandchildrens’ lives. He loved watching them in all of their sporting activities: hockey, rugby, soccer, basketball, swimming. Dad also loved taking his grand and great grandchildren for ice cream or sweets and he never missed a beat whenever the opportunity arose.

Dads favorite last trip was the one Dave and Julie took him on– to find his grandpa’s name on the Menin wall in Ypres, Belgium. This trip included spells in England, Scotland, Germany and France. Needless to say, many pubs were stopped at along the way.

Dad had dementia the last few years of his life, but never once did he acknowledge or cater to the disease. Dad was a warrior and his dementia was often defeated with his positivity and iron-clad will and he had such an unbelievable sense of humour.

Words cannot adequately describe the immense heartache we are feeling over our loss, but we take comfort knowing that dad is now with his family who have gone on before him, including our mum who we lost in 2009.

We would like to thank the nurses at Wascana Grace Hospice who took care of our dad with such grace and dignity. They truly are angels on earth.

Cremation has taken place. Scattering of ashes will take place at a later time. There will be no funeral service, but please drink a toast for our dad. If anyone so desires, please make a donation in memory of our dad, to your local animal humane society which was so near and dear to his heart.

Dear Grandpa,

You are gone but definitely not forgotten. We are so happy to call you ours. Dad, grandpa and the greatest great grandpa. We won’t forget all the adventures with you and the dogs, taking them up the big hill in Dunmore. Most of all, the ice cream trips. All your stories about the army and all your excursions with your childhood friends. Thank you for supporting us through all our extra curricular activities. Whether it be hockey, soccer, basketball or your most favorite, swimming. Thank you for motivating us to be our best and to always be the first to say, “Good Morning!” All these memories we will hold close to our hearts, and we will forever miss you. Give grandma a hug for us and give the dogs a biscuit or two. We love you. See you later, alligator.