Robert (Bob) George Burland

Some people are born with a Cheshire grin and a penchant for getting into trouble. Our Bob, beloved father, grandpa and great-grandpa, was one of those people. Robert (Bob) Burland passed away March 10, 2020, after 96 years of keeping his family on their toes and at the ready with his quick wit, sharp sense of humour and tendency to recite poetry at whim.

Bob was born in Vancouver, but spent most of his life in Calgary. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII and at the age of 21, joined the war effort overseas as an airplane mechanic, stationed at the RAF Skipton-on-Swale (North Yorkshire, England), repairing Lancaster Bombers with the No. 424 Squadron before serving with the Tactical Airforce: No. 664 Squadron (Leer, Germany); No. 666 Squadron (Apeldoorn, Holland); and, No. 411 Squadron (Hamburg, Germany). After returning from overseas in 1946, Bob was granted a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM and clasp), War Medal and the France & Germany Star. Bob remained a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 66 years.

He worked for Coca-Cola before completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Alberta, graduating in 1950. Bob was a very successful and well respected accountant in Downtown Calgary, working with a number of different companies in the Oil and Gas Industry until his retirement in 1989 from TransCanada Pipelines Limited. He was a man of many hobbies. Bob loved photography and perhaps unsurprisingly, as an accountant nurtured by the Great Depression, was an avid collector of stamps and coins. Of all his many adventures, the greatest of them all was his 57 years married to the love of his life, Lucille (Lou) Burland. Bob and Lou met ice skating and over the years spent many cherished summers camping at Rosen Lake with family, close relatives and friends. They enjoyed hosting their neighbours and their annual Boxing Day gatherings. Bob’s favourite past times included relaxing with a newspaper, good book or crossword puzzle, fly fishing at his special spot at the Highwood River, and pheasant hunting, in his younger years. Bob and Lou enjoyed many trips together throughout the United States and Bob spoke fondly over the years of his travels closer to home.

Bob will be so greatly missed and his story will be passed down through generations by those he leaves behind: his loving daughters and their families: Cathy & Doug Springer (Tennessee), Joanne Russell (Calgary), and Laurie Burland (Calgary); and his grandchildren and their families: Bobby, Sonya, Audrey & Grant Springer (Texas); Christy Springer (Florida); Jesse Russell, Kirsti Binns & Oscar Russell-Binns (Calgary); Michelle, Peter & Drew Lydiatt (Calgary); Patty Russell (Calgary); and Tara Russell & Dan O’Neil (Calgary). Bob is pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Lucille (Lou); sister, Barbara Burland; eldest brother Billy; mother, Alice; father, William Burland; and his son-in-law, Dr. Peter Russell.

The family will gather this June for a celebration of life and Bob will be laid to rest at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

Please raise a glass to Bob and if friends so desire, donations may be made to the charity of their choice.

Bob’s family would like to take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to Mary Rose, Lindi, and to all the staff at the Colonel Belcher, Churchill House, for their attentive care and companionship. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert (Bob) George Burland, please visit our floral store.