Sunday, April 17, 2022
Joanne,
Let me first say how saddened I am to be made aware of Bob's passing; thank you for letting me know. As you are aware, I knew of his fall, broken hip and subsequent medical problems, but I never expected his life would end as it did; nor so soon. I am sure he would agree that we were friends. In fact our last e-mail exchange occurred just the week before.
Bob and I first met over lunch in Nicosia when I was visiting from Egypt and he asked me over lunch if I had any spare 'bobbins' in Cairo. As my wife Pat sews, I immediately thought of thread. But no, he wanted big bobbins on which to recover unserviceable, strung, WD1 telephone wire -- for future use. A forward thinker, Bob had some wire available when the pressing need arose in August.
The next time we came together was in Calgary where he was my RSM at 1CIBG HQ and Sig Sqn. Over the next two years we grew pretty close and saw eye to eye on almost everything. I valued his sound advice, his dedication, his leadership and concern for all ranks in the squadron, for which I remain most grateful.
Bob was knowledgeable about many things outside the Army, and he also had a sense of humour which I think is very necessary for success in the military.
I also discovered a budding graphic artist with his calligraphy promoting 1 Sigs; which included discussions with the Brigade RSM.
Since then, given our travels, we have only seen each other infrequently at Signals Reunions, but e-mail brought us back together and he was my 'go to man' wrt understanding what happened in Cyprus in 1974 (Pat and I, on holiday in Famagusta, were evacuated to Lahr just ahead of the invasion).
Bob was a good man, a credit to the Signal Corps, the Canadian military and to humanity.
Bob, you have earned your rest.
Mac and Pat Savage
Surrey, BC
