Obituary for Robert Carl Crone
Robert ‘Bob’ Crone, CSC, DGC, CFEG
August 7, 1932 - January 12, 2023
The Canadian film and television industry lost a champion and a legend when Bob Crone passed away on January 12, 2023 at the age of 90. He is survived by his loving wife Vi, son David (Linda), grandchildren Alexandra, Jordan and Rob (Simona), and great-granddaughter Rosie.
Born in Toronto on August 7, 1932, Bob found his passion for photography at an early age. He was given a camera at age 12 and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. His high school sweetheart, Vi, carried flashbulbs and canisters for Bob as often as he carried his camera. After graduating from the Television Workshop of New York, Bob was hired by CBC in Toronto as an assistant film editor. He soon decided to work freelance, shooting stories on spec and selling them to CBC News.
Bob and CBC news announcer Larry Henderson soon joined forces to travel the world, filming documentaries about world events (“as they happen, where they happen”). Together with Bob’s wife and partner Vi also behind the camera, they interviewed important news makers, including world leaders, authors, athletes, performers and even the occasional Mafia boss. In the late 1950s and early 1960s Bob dominated international news coverage for Canadian television. He became CBC’s first- choice cameraman for almost all their major productions. As the first cameraman to be sent overseas by the CBC he lost count at over 65 trips internationally.
In 1958 Bob bought a house in Rosedale, building an executive film studio in the basement. He photographed most of Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s election campaign speeches and commercials there. Over the years it became the studio of choice for many dignitaries, authors and celebrities.
A serious plane crash in 1963 led Bob and Vi to recognise the need for a professional quality film processing and sound recording facility in Canada. That year he founded Film House in Toronto. Offering high quality and dependable service, Film House became the hub of Canada’s film and television industry, employing 125 people. Bob was inducted into the Young Presidents’ Organization, for his business prowess and forward thinking.
That same year Bob and Vi took over leadership of the Canadian Film Awards (CFA), including commissioning Sorel Etrog to design the new award statuette (the award went on to be known as the Genies and now Canadian Screen Awards). During their 10 years in leadership of the CFAs they saw steady growth in the Canadian film industry as a whole.
In the early 70s Bob earned his twin engine IFR pilot’s license and in 1975 he started back into documentary film making, joined by his son David. Together they flew all over North America filming for CBC, CTV, NBC and many other networks.
Becoming a trailblazer once again, Bob introduced Steadicam to the Canadian film industry in 1976. He was the first distributer in Canada and continued to train new operators into the 90s, from around the world.
In 1981 he negotiated with IATSE International to give Canada its own union (IATSE-667). A few years later as Canadian Union President he went to the International again to create the charter for Western Canada’s local IATSE-669.
Bob and Vi moved to West Vancouver in 1988, to supply Steadicam services to Western Canada. He remained active in the film industry until December 1997 when he retired from his fast-paced, action-filled professional life. Bob’s Steadicam legacy continues to live on in the family as both his son David and grandson Rob have taken up the Steadicam mantle and continue to work in Vancouver and around the world.
Over the course of his lifetime Bob held a number of leadership positions in several important organizations including: Chairman, Canadian Film Awards (1963-1972); President, Association of Motion Picture Producers and Laboratories of Canada (1970-1971); and President, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) locals 667 and 669. As recognition for years of service Bob was awarded lifetime memberships to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), and Canadian Film Editors Guild (CFEG), and Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC). Vi is also the first woman awarded lifetime membership to the CSC.
Over the course of his career, Bob was also awarded several other honours, such as The Anik Wilderness award; The Canadian Centennial Medal (1967); The Bill Hilson Award from the Canadian Society of Cinematographers for Outstanding service contributing to the development of the motion picture industry in Canada; five Etrog and Genie awards, including the prestigious Air Canada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the growth of the Canadian film and television industry which was awarded to both Bob and Vi in 1981.
World leaders photographed or filmed by Bob included King Hussein of Jordan, Cuba's Fidel Castro, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, US President John F. Kennedy, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Pope John Paul II, Princess Margret, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, US President Ronald Reagan, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Authors included W. Somerset Maugham, Pierre Berton, Sir Evelyn Waugh, Dame Edith Sitwell and Lord Bertrand Russell. Athletes included hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Vladislav Tretiak, basketball great Julius "Dr J" Erving, and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. Performers included British actor Stanley Holloway, singers Juliette and Harry Belafonte, and actors Charlie Chaplin, Sofia Loren, Joan Crawford and Anne Bancroft- just to mention a few.
Ever one to break the mould, he was the first son in five generations not to become a minister. However, he always made time for the church throughout his lifetime. As a teen he played organ (and Vi recorded) his family’s daily radio show Songs at Sunrise for 2 years in Peterborough, ON. Bob later went on to become Chairman of the Toronto Christian Resource Centre (1985-1987) and achieved Doctor of Pastoral Counselling (Hon.) in 1985. While living in Vancouver he was an active member of the West Vancouver Presbyterian Church and made many appearances as their guest organist.
If you were ever in need of a laugh, Bob was always ready with a good story or long form joke. He always believed in everyone’s ability to do good and that you could do anything you put your mind to. His optimism and smile will be missed.
Bob lived an extraordinary life. His passion for photography, love of adventure and drive to help the Canadian film and television industry were exemplary. Bob helped to advance Canada’s presence in the cinematography, film editing and film production sectors and ultimately establish itself as a leader on the world stage.
Doug Leiterman (Producer/Director) said of Bob: “He has a kind of combination of qualities that you meet rarely in a lifetime. It’s a mixture of a very decent human being; a very sunny personality; of a kind of man who is never down. A man of great qualities of innovation; of terrific loyalty; of great talent; energy, nerve, guts, and courage. The kind of person that you would like to say at the end of a lifetime: ‘Bob Crone was one of my friends.’
While Bob now rests easy in the arms of the Lord, he will be greatly missed.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Care Staff at Amica Lions Gate for the care and compassion they showed Bob in his final year.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, a private family service will be held on March 18, 2023. To watch a livestream of the service please check West Vancouver Presbyterian Church on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@westvancouverpresbyterianc1660/featured
Following the church service, there will be a Celebration of Life for those who knew Bob on March 18th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Mulgrave School. Please RSVP by clicking the blue button below.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bob Crone Motion Picture Scholarship Fund. A Memorial Award has been set up at Capilano University to support future generations of film makers.
https://www.capilanou.ca/mycapu/forms/donate-to-capu-now/
To donate to the endownment fund, click Bob Crone Memorial Endowment under the designation tab.
For further information of Bob’s career, please read this article from
CBC Click here
For more information and pictures of Bob's career please click here to view a PDF doc.
August 7, 1932 - January 12, 2023
The Canadian film and television industry lost a champion and a legend when Bob Crone passed away on January 12, 2023 at the age of 90. He is survived by his loving wife Vi, son David (Linda), grandchildren Alexandra, Jordan and Rob (Simona), and great-granddaughter Rosie.
Born in Toronto on August 7, 1932, Bob found his passion for photography at an early age. He was given a camera at age 12 and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. His high school sweetheart, Vi, carried flashbulbs and canisters for Bob as often as he carried his camera. After graduating from the Television Workshop of New York, Bob was hired by CBC in Toronto as an assistant film editor. He soon decided to work freelance, shooting stories on spec and selling them to CBC News.
Bob and CBC news announcer Larry Henderson soon joined forces to travel the world, filming documentaries about world events (“as they happen, where they happen”). Together with Bob’s wife and partner Vi also behind the camera, they interviewed important news makers, including world leaders, authors, athletes, performers and even the occasional Mafia boss. In the late 1950s and early 1960s Bob dominated international news coverage for Canadian television. He became CBC’s first- choice cameraman for almost all their major productions. As the first cameraman to be sent overseas by the CBC he lost count at over 65 trips internationally.
In 1958 Bob bought a house in Rosedale, building an executive film studio in the basement. He photographed most of Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s election campaign speeches and commercials there. Over the years it became the studio of choice for many dignitaries, authors and celebrities.
A serious plane crash in 1963 led Bob and Vi to recognise the need for a professional quality film processing and sound recording facility in Canada. That year he founded Film House in Toronto. Offering high quality and dependable service, Film House became the hub of Canada’s film and television industry, employing 125 people. Bob was inducted into the Young Presidents’ Organization, for his business prowess and forward thinking.
That same year Bob and Vi took over leadership of the Canadian Film Awards (CFA), including commissioning Sorel Etrog to design the new award statuette (the award went on to be known as the Genies and now Canadian Screen Awards). During their 10 years in leadership of the CFAs they saw steady growth in the Canadian film industry as a whole.
In the early 70s Bob earned his twin engine IFR pilot’s license and in 1975 he started back into documentary film making, joined by his son David. Together they flew all over North America filming for CBC, CTV, NBC and many other networks.
Becoming a trailblazer once again, Bob introduced Steadicam to the Canadian film industry in 1976. He was the first distributer in Canada and continued to train new operators into the 90s, from around the world.
In 1981 he negotiated with IATSE International to give Canada its own union (IATSE-667). A few years later as Canadian Union President he went to the International again to create the charter for Western Canada’s local IATSE-669.
Bob and Vi moved to West Vancouver in 1988, to supply Steadicam services to Western Canada. He remained active in the film industry until December 1997 when he retired from his fast-paced, action-filled professional life. Bob’s Steadicam legacy continues to live on in the family as both his son David and grandson Rob have taken up the Steadicam mantle and continue to work in Vancouver and around the world.
Over the course of his lifetime Bob held a number of leadership positions in several important organizations including: Chairman, Canadian Film Awards (1963-1972); President, Association of Motion Picture Producers and Laboratories of Canada (1970-1971); and President, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) locals 667 and 669. As recognition for years of service Bob was awarded lifetime memberships to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), and Canadian Film Editors Guild (CFEG), and Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC). Vi is also the first woman awarded lifetime membership to the CSC.
Over the course of his career, Bob was also awarded several other honours, such as The Anik Wilderness award; The Canadian Centennial Medal (1967); The Bill Hilson Award from the Canadian Society of Cinematographers for Outstanding service contributing to the development of the motion picture industry in Canada; five Etrog and Genie awards, including the prestigious Air Canada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the growth of the Canadian film and television industry which was awarded to both Bob and Vi in 1981.
World leaders photographed or filmed by Bob included King Hussein of Jordan, Cuba's Fidel Castro, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, US President John F. Kennedy, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Pope John Paul II, Princess Margret, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, US President Ronald Reagan, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Authors included W. Somerset Maugham, Pierre Berton, Sir Evelyn Waugh, Dame Edith Sitwell and Lord Bertrand Russell. Athletes included hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Vladislav Tretiak, basketball great Julius "Dr J" Erving, and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. Performers included British actor Stanley Holloway, singers Juliette and Harry Belafonte, and actors Charlie Chaplin, Sofia Loren, Joan Crawford and Anne Bancroft- just to mention a few.
Ever one to break the mould, he was the first son in five generations not to become a minister. However, he always made time for the church throughout his lifetime. As a teen he played organ (and Vi recorded) his family’s daily radio show Songs at Sunrise for 2 years in Peterborough, ON. Bob later went on to become Chairman of the Toronto Christian Resource Centre (1985-1987) and achieved Doctor of Pastoral Counselling (Hon.) in 1985. While living in Vancouver he was an active member of the West Vancouver Presbyterian Church and made many appearances as their guest organist.
If you were ever in need of a laugh, Bob was always ready with a good story or long form joke. He always believed in everyone’s ability to do good and that you could do anything you put your mind to. His optimism and smile will be missed.
Bob lived an extraordinary life. His passion for photography, love of adventure and drive to help the Canadian film and television industry were exemplary. Bob helped to advance Canada’s presence in the cinematography, film editing and film production sectors and ultimately establish itself as a leader on the world stage.
Doug Leiterman (Producer/Director) said of Bob: “He has a kind of combination of qualities that you meet rarely in a lifetime. It’s a mixture of a very decent human being; a very sunny personality; of a kind of man who is never down. A man of great qualities of innovation; of terrific loyalty; of great talent; energy, nerve, guts, and courage. The kind of person that you would like to say at the end of a lifetime: ‘Bob Crone was one of my friends.’
While Bob now rests easy in the arms of the Lord, he will be greatly missed.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Care Staff at Amica Lions Gate for the care and compassion they showed Bob in his final year.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, a private family service will be held on March 18, 2023. To watch a livestream of the service please check West Vancouver Presbyterian Church on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@westvancouverpresbyterianc1660/featured
Following the church service, there will be a Celebration of Life for those who knew Bob on March 18th, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Mulgrave School. Please RSVP by clicking the blue button below.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bob Crone Motion Picture Scholarship Fund. A Memorial Award has been set up at Capilano University to support future generations of film makers.
https://www.capilanou.ca/mycapu/forms/donate-to-capu-now/
To donate to the endownment fund, click Bob Crone Memorial Endowment under the designation tab.
For further information of Bob’s career, please read this article from
CBC Click here
For more information and pictures of Bob's career please click here to view a PDF doc.