Obituary

Robert Howard McClelland
November 2, 1933 – September 29, 2015

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) McClelland on September 29, 2015, at the Nanaimo General Hospital of cancer.

Bob was born on November 2, 1933 in Calgary, Alberta. He spent several years in radio broadcasting and newspaper publishing before embarking on a long and productive career in politics. He was first elected to the Langley City Council on 1969 and in 1972 moved to Provincial politics as the opposition Health critic until 1975. Named Minister of Health in the New Social Credit Government where he was involved in the planning and development of the new B.C. Children’s Hospital and the introduction of the Provinces first comprehensive long term care plan. He subsequently served as Minister of Energy, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Industry.

On Bob’s retirement he and his wife Denise moved to Gabriola Island where on one beautiful New Year’s Day, on the local course, he made a hole-in-one.

He is survived by his wife Denise of 35 years, his son Lloyd, grandsons and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister in-law & brother in-law Paula and Brian and Niece Kelley, brother’s in-law Peter and Rodney and his family in Australia.

Rest in peace Bob.

No memorial service by request.

CHWK Chilliwack 1962-63; CJJC Langley 1963-mid 60s; CHQT Edmonton mid 1960s; news writer/city hall reporter CHQM Vancouver 1966-69; elected to Langley City Council 1969-73; Operations Manager CJJC circa 1970; British Columbia MLA/Opposition Health critic 1972-75; Minister of Health 1975-79, Energy 1979-82, Labour 1983-85 and Economic Development 1985-86; retired to Gabriola Island 1986.