The Informer Page 6

December 12,1988

P E O

Robert McKee
Keeping the
Stores in Order

Our former controversy-loving union negotiator
Robert McKee leads a quieter life now in a small
cubbyhole in the basement of A Building content to do
what he’s done for most of his 14 years at the College.
Officially known as the Storekeeper, Robert is in charge
of keeping track of every movable object in the College.
Short of the soup-to-nuts served in our cafeterias and all
bookstore items, Robert oversees the shipping and
receiving of everything from staples to computers, and
he ensures that all valuable objects are marked and
recorded. He also oversees courier operations. “A lot of
the job is chasing down suppliers,” says Robert.

At one point, the former florist (he worked for
Flowers by Lily and Logan’s on the North Shore) was
asked to record buildings as well, but managed to
convince those concerned that it was unlikely an entire
structure could be stolen.

Robert was hired in 1973 by Klaus Thiel to work in
the printshop; two years later, he took over College
purchasing from Ian Buck. “This was in the days before
a department had been established, says Robert, “ora
union.” When the union was established in 1974, Robert
regularly attended meetings, and by 1976 was deeply
involved. He served as acting president, negotiator and
arbitrator for six years. “It was fun to do,” he says. “A
real learning experience, but it was like having another
job.” Through that period his work had been changing
drastically. As the College grew, so did the purchasing
needs. The department itself was born when Dave
Brewer, Director of Supplies and Services, came on
board. “I trained him,” smiled Robert.

Robert has enjoyed his years with the College and
describes them with equanimity, “I must have had a
good time, or I wouldn’t have stayed” is his philosophical
attitude, but his eyes really light up when asked what
he does in his spare time. “Ringette” is the short answer.

A game developed for girls in Ontario 26 years ago,
it is modelled after hockey, but players use a malleable
rubber ring and straight stick with no blade instead of
the standard hockey stick and puck. Robert spends two
evenings a week coaching his novice and “Deb” (over 18)
teams and finds most weekends include at least one
game. As B.C. Director of Coaching, he also goes on the
occasional trip outside the Lower Mainland to coaching
seminars helping to promote the game across B.C.

“The next Canadian winter games in 1991 will
include Ringette, and the Canadian nationals will be in
Vancouver in 1992,” says Robert, proudly adding that he

plans to have a team ready to win.

A former tennis coach, Robert had the skills and
knowledge for training others, but had never strapped a
pair of skates on before in his life. “The first year I got
by by staying close to the boards and I didn’t
demonstrate too much. Then I decided in the spring I
had to learn to skate, so I took a power skating course.
That was the toughest thing I’ve ever gone through.
There were nine guys there, all in full hockey gear, and
after the first five minutes, two of them were getting
sick on the ice. I felt the same way, but I was
determined to get through it.” He did, and soon rose to
his present position as B.C. Director of Coaching. Watch
for his team in the nationals.

“I would challenge any of the hockey players at the
college to a game of Ringette with my team.”

The glove has been dropped. Any challengers?

Gardens in Light

Park and Tilford Gardens is lit up with Christmas
lights and a fresh look, thanks to Cap’s Landscape
Horticulture students. The vegetation wizards have
been working on a weekly rotational basis in shifts of
five since September. While learning the practical
lessons of horticulture, greenhouse and show garden
maintenance, students have cleaned up what had been
left unattended for eight years.

The project is part of a co-operative work program
with the B.C. Enterprise Development Corporation.
Three graduate students will be hired full-time for the
summer period. Drop by and see what they’ve done.
There are over 500 poinsettias and chrysanthemums on
display now.