THE INFORMER PAGE 3

NOVEMBER 21, 1990

On Oct. 25, many members of the College community met
to celebrate Bob Irvine’s retirement and to recognize the
contribution he has made in his 16 years of service. Bob joined
the College as an Adult Basic Education instructor on Jan. 1,
1975. By virtue of the exceptional level of energy and
commitment that he brought to his duties, he made his mark not
only in the ABE Department, but in the rest of the College and
beyond.

As an educator, Bob had the ability to identify an
educational need, and the dedication to work until that need was
filled. In his 16 years with the College, he created more than 20
courses and programs. Some were short-term, created to satisfy
immediate but temporary requirements; others have existed for
many years. They remain a testimony to Bob’s outstanding
contribution to the College and to the communities it serves.

But Bob’s interest in education has extended far beyond
college and community. Some 12 years ago, he was one of a
small group who founded the Adult Basic Education Association
of British Columbia. In the intervening years, he was part of the
team that worked tirelessly to make that association the
province-wide, professional organization it is today. He built up
many contacts within the Ministry of Education and helped to
maintain a high profile for the College in the corridors of power.

Bob’s warmth and friendliness have made him many
friends; for them, the College will now seem a smaller place. But
we hope not to miss him too much. He knows that we expect
him to visit us whenever he can.

He’ll have a bit farther to drive when he visits, however. On
the weekend following the retirement party, Bob and his wife,
Thelma, moved from their home in North Burnaby to Ocean
Park. He said they no longer need the convenience of being near
the College.

Another change was that Thelma quit her job at the
Sheraton Villa so she would be free to travel with Bob. ““We’re
planning to travel to Australia, Japan, Europe, India,” Bob said,
“wherever time and money will take us.”

Retirement will also give him more time to spend with his
four children. Two daughters and one son live in the Lower

Wishing Bob Irvine the
best in his retirement,
from left to right:

Betty Nichol, Liz Young,
(Bob), and Joe Hind, all
from Adult Basic
Education.

Energy, Commitment, Warmth and Friendliness — That’s Bob Irvine

Mainland. Another son lives in Calgary.

Bob said his students earned a lasting place in his memory.
Bob himself has certainly earned a lasting place in the memories
of the College community. To wish him a restful retirement
would be inappropriate. It sounds like he won’t be idle for long.
But we can wish him success in whatever he may choose to
undertake. And we can wish him and Thelma happiness and
fulfillment in all the years to come.

Thanks for everything, Bob! — Joe Hind

To aid women students at Capilano College, Fiona °
Lhotke, Awards Chairperson of the North Vancouver
Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University
Women, presented a $200 cheque to Randi Duke,
Director of Resource Development at Capilano College,
on October 10.