Robert Raymond McEwen

The family of Bob McEwen of Penticton, BC, formerly of Prince George, BC is saddened to announce his passing at the age of 92 years.

In 1930, at the start of the Depression, Bob was born in Calgary, Alberta to Edna Millicent Gardner from Nottingham, England and to Raymond J. McEwen from New Brunswick. Soon after his birth, the family lived on two different homesteads in Alberta, where Bob and his brother attended a one-room schoolhouse. As a young man, he worked in logging camps, then as a salesman for a produce company, before becoming a grocery store owner in 1965. Working with a hired butcher in the J&B Market, Bob learned the art of meat cutting, and would often cut up moose for hunters in the area, receiving sausages as partial payment. After over 10 intense years in the grocery business, Bob and Joan put everything into storage and became gypsies for a summer with their five children, aged 12 -19.  Joan, who had loved living in the Okanagan as a teenager, gently encouraged the wandering group to Penticton, where the family bought a house. Bob worked for the Penticton School board, enjoying many weekend camping and fishing trips in their RV. In retirement, the couple travelled extensively in North America, to spend time with grandchildren and explore. After Joan’s passing, Bob was content to stay closer to home, gardening, walking, wood working and hosting family from all over.

Bob was a well-loved father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. Bob is survived by daughter, Lynda of Montreal, QC; daughter, Donna (David Mendel) of Quebec City, QC and their children Matthew and Jonathan; daughter, Shelley Coyston (Warne Davidson) of Penticton, BC; son, Terry (Bev Bachman) of Vancouver, BC and their children, Sam and James.

He is predeceased by his wife, Joan in 1999 after 47 years together; son, Ron in 1997; brother, Doug in 2020.

Despite declining health, he stayed in his home until a few days before his death. Bob’s family would like to acknowledge Trini Ward for her care and support over the last several years. We would also like to thank Interior Health and the Penticton Hospital for all the excellent care Bob received over the years.

Due to Covid 19 and in keeping with Dad’s wishes, there will not be a public funeral, but rather a private family gathering at a later date, probably around a campfire.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations can be made to the Penticton Regional Hospital or to the Cancer Society.

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.”