We regret to advise of the death of Honorary Colonel Robert Gordon “Bob” Douglas, KStJ, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 26 February 2021 at age 90. Bob started his notable service in the Canadian Army with 2nd Field Engineer Regiment in Toronto.
Bob grew up during the Depression Years in North Toronto. His interest in the military started early with the Army Cadets where he was the Cadet Commanding Officer of the Lawrence Park Collegiate Cadet Corps in Toronto. As a Master Cadet, Bob was chosen to attend the first Special Cadet Camp in Banff AB.
Bob joined the Militia as a Sapper in the 2nd Field Engineer Regiment in Toronto and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Regiment. He then joined The Royal Regiment of Canada where he was quickly promoted to Lieutenant. Bob then joined the British Army on a special two-year contract with The King's (Liverpool) in Hong Kong and joined the SAS Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. At that time, the SAS was involved in deep jungle patrols against communist terrorists led by Chin Peng. Qualified as an SAS demolition specialist, he was involved in a night parachute drop on a mission to destroy a large enemy bridge.
On returning to Canada, Bob rejoined The Royal Regiment of Canada and, after a series of regimental postings, rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and commanded the Regiment. When his firm moved him to Montreal, Bob became G1 (Training) in the newly formed Militia headquarters of Sector de L'Est in Quebec. Over the following years, Bob served as both the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Canada, as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of The Toronto Scottish Regiment, and as Honorary Colonel of The Grey and Simcoe Foresters. He was Aide de Camp to Lieutenant Governors Keiller MacKay and Earle Roe. Bob’s final assignment with the military was as Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Council of Honorary Colonels of the Canadian Army.
After 23 years with National Cash Register, Bob became an Investment Advisor, with a career spanning 30 years through many mergers, including Merrill Lynch. During this span, Bob attained the highest credential in the industry when he became a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI).
Bob was very involved in Community activities. He was Chairman of the Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief (Canada) and Toronto Commander of the The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Bob was also Vice Chair of the Veterans Advisory Committee of the Board of Sunnybrook Hospital; was a Governor of the Corps of Commissionaires (Great Lakes);, Director of the World Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Canada; President of the St. John Ambulance (Ontario); a member of the International Counter-Terrorism Officers Association; and President of the Fort York Branch No. 165, Royal Canadian Legion. Bob was a member of Royal Canadian Military Institute, the Granite Club of Toronto and the Barrie Country Club.
Bob received numerous honours and awards during his career. He was appointed Knight, The Most Venerable Order of St. John as well as Knight Commander, Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus. Bob was also awarded the British Army General Service Medal (Malaya Bar); Canadian Forces Decoration (with three clasps); the Canadian Centennial Medal, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal; the Canadian 125th Commemorative Medal; the Queen's Golden Jubilee; the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal; France’s Volunteer Combatant Cross and the Polish Gold Cross of Merit.
Bob had an interest in hiking and mountains. He hiked across the United Kingdom on the "Sea to Sea" campaign and raised $20,000 for St. John Ambulance. Bob climbed Kilimanjaro, hiked with Tenzing Norgay in Sikkim, India, hiked to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal and climbed many times in the Matterhorn area in Switzerland.
Bob retired from his position as Vice President of RBC Domino Securities in 2015 at age 85. He retired to the family country estate "Grenadierwoods" in Horseshoe Valley. Here he enjoyed tinkering with old jeeps and chain sawing trails through the 80 acres of mature trees where he enjoyed walking through with his friends and family.
A funeral service will be held when the Covid-19 circumstances allow. It was Bob's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to St. John Ambulance (15 Toronto St. Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5C 2E3). On line condolences can be sent to: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=robert-gordon-douglas&pid=197945911
