Bob Sharples passed away at Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, B.C. on January 26th, 2023 at age 85. He bravely faced varied health challenges, remaining positive throughout.
Bob is deeply mourned by his wife, Marilyn, children, Lorelei (Alain), Blake (Cindy), Linnea (David), and Louise (Rainer); 9 Grandchildren, Justin (Maddie), Charlotte (David), Florence (Bryce); Tory, Wade; Mattias, Isla; Stephanie (Russ), Ryan (Elizabeth); and 4 Great-Grandchildren, Will, Nora, Jeremy and Penny.
Bob treasured his family. He nurtured individual connections with each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, always offering his time, love and support. He was a man of integrity and held each one close to his heart.
Bob and his wife Marilyn were a wonderful team. For over 61 years they shared themselves with a large extended family and many friends both near and far. They first met in Grande Prairie, Alberta where Bob was beginning his career in radio.
Bob was born in Vancouver, BC. attending Bridgeport school, North Star in North Vancouver, Pauline Johnson and finally, West Vancouver High, forming lifelong friendships. Bob tried many jobs along the coast including 17 months as a boiler fireman at the Crown Zellerbach steam plant in Ocean Falls and later using this skill on the Blackball Ferries out of Horseshoe Bay to Gibsons. Short stints at the Hudson’s Bay and BC Tel prompted him to join the Air Crew for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Broadcaster Cam Cathcart encouraged Bob to try radio broadcasting at CFGP in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This led to a 37-year career in broadcasting for Bob despite having no previous experience in the field. His first five years were in a crude environment where gumbo mud was knee deep. He polished his craft studying, reading and writing scripts and was quickly made News Director. Bob then made the leap to the CBC in Vancouver.
Here again his training involved ‘watch how it’s done, then do it,’ this time in the emerging world of black and white television. Five years of late night TV news and backup dinner news, highlighted by hosting jazz shows, the VSO, reading Mark Twain's Hal Holbrook for Don Mowatt's Showcase, Bob then found the love of his career.
The Corporation planned to broadcast the first morning radio talk show in Canada and needed news readers, four bright researchers, a producer and a host. Bob hosted the Good Morning Show until it was split to form a Regional show which would reach the outlying listeners. Bob, as host, with his producer, developed the new Daybreak program which featured an opportunity for listeners to call in every day and voice their stories. This led to a successful 13-year run. Then the program was divided into 3 separate shows, and his team was disbanded. Bob continued to read radio news for 8 years until retirement in 1999.
Bob had wonderful memories of his work on the national satirical radio program Double Exposure with voice impressionists Bob Robertson and Linda Cullen. Bob played the straight man and especially enjoyed the voices of Jean Chretien and Lucian Bouchard. The trio won the Best Weekly Show Award.
Bob was an active cyclist, often having Storm, his dog, running beside him. He loved the outdoors and spent many summers with his family aboard the Lil Luffer sailing the Gulf Islands. His later years were spent enjoying his home in North Vancouver by gardening, doing yardwork, and living quietly with his wife, Marilyn.
He was an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. We miss him.
You are welcome to attend the memorial service at St. Agnes' Anglican Church, 530 12th Street East, North Vancouver, BC at 1 pm on Saturday, February 18th, 2023, With a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences and tributes can be sent to the family by visiting www.mckenziefuneralservices.com