Memorial Gifts

Robert (Rob) Jan Kroek passed peacefully at home on 5 June after an extended illness, his wife of 47 years, Ruth, at his side.

Rob was born 21 March 1955 to Louise (Weitske) and Jake (Joop) of Victoria, BC. Rob’s family moved to Duncan, BC in 1965.  Rob is survived by his son Jason (Lauren) and daughter Jaime, his brother John (Sandra), his sister Jennifer (Paul) and his special nephews and nieces: Louie, Michael, Tyler, Bodie, Toni Marie, Roxanne and Sonjia.  Rob found great joy and happiness being “Opa” to Elle, Ava, Ali, Kaiya, Roman and twin grand-babies Waylon and Wrenley.

Rob is predeceased by his parents Jake and Louise Kroek and nephew Leland Kroek.

While living in Victoria as a young boy, Rob attended Pacific Christian School, and later when his family moved to Duncan he attended Duncan Christian School, Mt. Prevost Jr. High, and Cowichan Sr. Secondary.  After graduation he attended the University of Victoria for a short period, finally deciding to leave post-secondary and enter the work force full-time.

Already at age 16 Rob had begun working weekends and summers at Youbou sawmill doing cleanup.  Later, when he began working full-time at the sawmill, he trained for a variety of positions. One of the challenging positions he took pride in was being a Tallyman.   As Youbou sawmill began to show signs of shutting down, he was laid off every Friday from one job and immediately hired for another job for the following Monday.  Later he was able to transfer to Crofton Pulp and Paper mill where he held a variety of positions.  He exemplified the belief in the importance and joys of “knowing how to do more than one thing.” Rob retired from Crofton in 2016.  Thus ended 55 years of work in the forest industry.

Rob and Ruth married in 1979 and shortly thereafter bought their first home, and later their “forever” home in Cowichan Bay, where they raised their family. In his children’s early years, he would often come home from work to find a houseful of kids there for a sleep over.  He loved seeing kids in the house, and never really complained about the food bill that came with hosting teenagers.  He always would say, “At least we know where they are.”   Once asked what the happiest day of his life was, he said the day he got married and the birth of his children.  A close second was fishing.

Many of Rob’s happiest moments involved fishing and being out on the water…whether doing it, talking about it or thinking about it.  He never tired of being out on his boat he unofficially called “Ruthless.”  He and Ruth would often go boating/fishing, enjoy a picnic dinner or explore the local waters.   If his long-time friend Terry VanWieren called and said, “Hey Rob. do you want to go fishing?” Rob would drop everything and go.  He also loved going fishing the day after Labour Day with his buddies from work.  He always came home with fish and great stories about adventures on the West Coast.

Rob and Ruth spent many summers with friends in Northern California, often travelling with their good friend Melody Martin.  Rob loved the drive there and back and the beauty that Northern California and the Oregon coast had to offer.

Rob loved and hated the Blue Jays, often commiserating with his friend Don Hoshizaki about the next game, what should be done with the team, and where the season was headed.  Don often won the coffee bets on the team.

Rob professed and modeled clear notions of what it is to be a good person in a complex world.  He loved fiercely. He was a good husband, father, brother, and friend.  He was generous, especially with his time and wisdom.  He was a father figure to many, working to instill a sense of justice and truthfulness.  He was a serious citizen who was informed and loved a good debate. He was a kind and gentle man, and always ready to get someone “fussed up” with his teasing.

A special thanks to Dr. Vander Zand-Reid and Dr. S. Stewart.

A Celebration of Rob’s life will take place on 19 June beginning at 1:30 at the Cowichan Golf Course.

In lieu of flowers, people can donate to the Cowichan Food Basket Society www.cvbs.ca or Food Banks Canada www.foodbankscanada.ca