Dr. Robert Pugh Deceased Aug 30th 2005, age 74
Robert would have appreciated coming back to New Westminster and the fine weather here in the lower
mainland.
Bob was born in Kelowna, April 29st, 1933 to Albert Edward and Sarah McMurray. He was younger to
his sister Shirley by 4 years. Uncle “Ernie” was in close attendance at that time and took great interest in
his brother’s family. Ernie took the children to Mt. Baker about 1940 and on several trips to Victoria to
visit their grandparents Robert and Bessie Pugh at Oak Bay. The Pugh’s subsequently moved in 1937
to New Westminster where Albert moved up in the ranks of seamen on the CNR Ferry system,
eventually becoming Captain of his own large ship.
Bob showed a natural ability for mathematics and managed to play bridge throughout his university days,
achieving both a “Life Masters” in duplicate bridge and a PhD in Quantum Physics. This naturally led
him to a professorship at the University of Toronto, where he remained both teaching and administering
until retirement in the late 1980’s.
During this time he came into my life as a young boy in Belleville, Ontario. Bob would arrive in his bright
red Austin Healey and kept in close contact with Hazel and Ernie. My mum and Dad were very
impressed with his academic accomplishments and frequently reminded me that he was a “Doctor in
Nuclear Physics”. I never quite understood his conversations about sub atomic particles, but I
understood that he was colour blind and would occasionally drive through red lights
Bob married Dora Gugliotta, and together brought Nina Delia through her few years. The marriage did
not last and Bob subsequently married Maureena Risk for a relatively short time. I came to recognize
that human relationships were never Bob’s strong point.
He took up bike riding for fitness about this time. He would ride to Bellevile and Oak Lake to visit, and on
two occasions appeared in Vancouver prior to cycling trans-Canada back to Toronto. I do remember
staying at his apartment on one occasion and commenting on how worn his bike looked. He allowed
that the bike was very expensive but well disguised with ragged tape to discourage theft!
Upon his retirement I saw him at Malton airport, November, in shorts, “I will never live in Ontario again”
he stated as he departed on his way to Puerto Vallarta. Here Bob opened a book store entitled
“BetoBooks”.
Bob sold his book store Dec 2002 and subsequently was hospitalized in 2003 with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Pat & George visited April 2004. We rode about town in his convertible Jeep Wrangler, and found we
were all out of money and maxed out charge cards, and retired to the cruise ship for lunch and a beer.
I noted a wide based gait at that time, and shoes that were too big. Pat and I found Bob to be cheerful
and optimistic. His wide embracing smile, blue eyes and tanned face would melt anyone’s heart. He
talked about and sent his love to Nina and Shirley.
Robert walked his trails. Ours is to go forward and complete our own
“Wind and Water, wood and tree,
Wisdom, Strength and courtesy,
God in his favour, go with thee” (Lord Baden Powell)
Sister Shirley McLoughlin BD June 25th, 1930
Grandfather: Robert Pugh, Deceased 1941,
Grandmother: Agnes Elizabeth (Bessie) Kerr , Deceased 1947
Father: Albert Edward: Deceased 1965 Mother: Sarah McMurray Deceased