Bob was born in Welland, Ontario 13 Dec 1942 and enrolled in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1960 as a signalman. On completion of basic training with the Regiment of the Canadian Guards in Petawawa, he was posted to the Royal Canadian School of Signals in Kingston, where he completed his training as a Radio Equipment Technician. He served between 1961 and 1976 in Canadian Army units in Petawawa, Germany, Cyprus, London (On) and Fort Greely Alaska.
In 1976, while serving at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston as a Warrant Officer, he was commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant and posted as Regimental Signal Officer to the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadian) in Calgary. Bob was posted to the Canadian Forces Officer School in Chilliwack in June 1979, where he served as an instructor and as Adjutant. He was appointed as second-in-command of 2 (Electronic Warfare) Squadron with the 1rst Canadian Signal Regiment in Kingston, in April 1982.
Bob was promoted to the rank of Major in June 1983 while attending the Canadian Land Forces Staff Course. Upon completion he was posted to National Defence Headquarters in the Directorate of Communications Security. During this posting he served as Commanding Officer of Canadian Forces Station Alert in 1984. He was the posted to the Project Management Office of the Secure Voice and Teletype Projects in July 1986 where he served until his posting as Commanding Officer of 771 Communications Research Squadron.
Bob retired from The Canadian Forces in August 1988 joined the Communications Security Branch working in many varied communication security intelligence roles for 16 years travelling extensively.
On retirement he remained in the Ottawa area enjoying many travel adventures with his wife Carol, especially time in France and St Martin/Maarten. Their lives together were full with their love of dogs, reading, nature adventures, family visits and so much more.
After a few medically challenging weeks Bob was diagnosed with metastatic cancer on a Monday and passed peacefully 3 days later, Thursday am. His wife Carol, son Bob Junior and his wife Kim were at his bedside. Daughter Brigitte was present on her visit from B.C.
He was preceded in death by his former wife. People well known to Bob, knew him to be a man of dignity, integrity, grace, and honour.
To Bob, his life was good, his life was full, and his life was meaningful.
If one wishes to donate to a charity in Bob’s name, please choose a charity that has a meaning in your lives.
Digital Guestbook
Ralph stevens
Scott Stevens
My condolence to the Stevens family (Ralph, Mark & Delores),my cousins Bobby and Brigitte and their families. Uncle Bob was my Godfather and I still remember the Christmas’s in Welland and the stories he would tell me about his career in the Armed Forces. Sad to hear of his passing and although we hadn’t spoken in a while, he will be missed.
Ghislaine Nee Moreau Gurash
I remember my brave and stately cousin with love and respect. We hold your family close in our hearts. Rest in peace xoxo
Robert English
I worked with Bob at CSE in the 1990’s. Having someone like Bob manage our IT Security service delivery to our most demanding client, National Defence, was a blessing. Diana and I owned a ‘time share’ in St. Maartens as did Bob and Carol. We often chatted about our visits there and I took advantage of Bob’s greater experience with Island life and things to do and places to visit. Bob was a gentlemen and consummate professional. His integrity and courtesy to all was unmatched. Diana and I pass our most sincere condolences to Carol, his family and friends. May he go with god’s speed.
Maren Hansen
My sympathies to Carol and family. Bob was one of my very favourite colleagues, always generous with his time and willingness to educate the next generation. He left a mark on many careers and lives.
At the age of 17 my bother Bob left Welland for the army. I was 14 and remember us looking at each other on the driveway and there were no words to describe our feelings. Still to this day I recall that moment and all the emotions. He would visit us in his uniform and on occasion, Dad would drive the family to the Petawawa base to see him. Over the years, Bob moved to Kingston, Calgary, Chilliwack BC, Germany, Cyprus, Alert and Ottawa.
I visited him in Petawawa several times to attend the overnight Levy on New Years, Calgary for a few days, Chilliwack where he would always take me salmon fishing and he would make sure he packed up the salmon for me to take home. Ottawa River also became a regular fishing spot for us.
This is a long way of saying how much I miss my big brother Bob and sure wish we could go fishing tomorrow! He had an adventurous life as he worked during cold war era for the Canadian Security group. He was a smart man who shared his talent for which I am so proud.
His mother Marie Ange Stevens (nee Pepin) and and father Robert Louis Stevens pre-deceased him, and would have been so proud of his life, work and family. On behalf of our sister Dolores, may you be with mom, dad and in god’s care.
Love brother Ralph