Robert Thomas Summers

Bob, the youngest of 9 siblings, was born in Vancouver in 1924. He lived most of his life in Vancouver, Richmond, and Tsawwassen, with a brief period in Calgary during WW2, where he met his wife of 68 years, Mary Eleanor Wyckoff. They married in Vancouver in 1946. He trained as a wireless operator before going to Britain. The war ended before his first assignment. On returning home he worked with Van. General Hospital's purchasing department. Most of his career was as a purchasing agent or office manager for scientific supply companies. For his final job he started a hospital group-purchasing program for the BC Hospital Assoc.

          During the early years he and Eleanor lived on Sea Island where they raised their family. They loved outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing and family camping trips, and Bob was heavily involved in Scouting, finally becoming a Richmond Dist. Commissioner. In later years they enjoyed travelling; their many trips included 3 memorable trips to Australia to visit Eleanor’s distant cousins, and 2 to the UK tracing his family roots. Two years after Eleanor's death in 2014, Bob moved into independent living in Tsawwassen. A street accident on his scooter in late 2019 began a slow decline, and he ultimately passed as a direct result of isolation policies to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

          Bob is survived by sons Ken (Gail) and Steve, Grandchildren Cara-lyn (Garrett) Field and Jered (Robyn), great grandchildren Kaileen and Bryn Field, and brother-in-law Ron (Toni) Wyckoff. He was predeceased by his sister Florence, brothers Ernie, Dick, John, and Ted and half siblings Evelyn, Philip, and William.

          A memorial will be planned at a future post pandemic date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Delta Hospital Auxiliary, or the Union Gospel Mission.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.