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Robert (Bob) Burchinshaw (LCol Ret'd)

July 5, 2022

H0D4Q0N2-20220715161208
July 5, 1933 - July 5, 2022
Bob, our loving husband and father passed away in Kelowna, BC on 5 July 2022. Bob was born in Revelstoke, BC on 5 July 1933. He married Marjorie (Clark) in Chelsea, Quebec on 10 September 1960 and retired to Kelowna in September 1988.
Bob is survived by his wife, Marjorie, daughter, Laura and son-in-law (Ryan Podmore), sisters; Betty (Stelfox) and Sheila (Perry). He was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy, father, Richard and brother, George.
Bob served 36 years in the Canadian Forces and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1988. His military service took him to the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. He enjoyed postings to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, Nova Scotia and Canadian Forces Base, Toronto, Ontario. He served in London, England, with the Canadian Joint Liaison Staff at the Canadian High Commission as the Senior Staff Officer, Administration and Logistics and as an Assistant Air Attaché.
He served and attended several courses In the United States, including Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and Shepard Air Force Base in Texas. He often cited his most popular posting was to 1 Air Division Headquarters in Metz, France from 1960 to 1964, as it was also his honeymoon boat cruise that departed from Montreal, Quebec one week after his marriage to his much-loved bride, Marjorie. Bob often extolled the wonderful experiences he enjoyed throughout his service career. However, he considered the opportunity to further his education through correspondence courses, night school and Carleton University in Ottawa where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (political Science) and Master of Arts (Public Administration) degrees, as a lifelong dream fulfilled.
On retirement to Kelowna, BC Bob decided it was time to leave the workforce and not seek employment in the private sector, so he dedicated his retirement to volunteer work with the Royal Canadian Air Force Benevolent Fund, the Air Cadet League of Canada, and the Local Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He served the Benevolent Fund as the Okanagan Thompson Area Representative and as the CEO and President.
He served the Air Cadet league at the local Squadron level, as a Director of the Provincial Committee, a Provincial Wing Chairperson for the Thompson/Okanagan region, and finally, at the national level as a Governor for 10 years. He also served for 12 years as a Service Officer for the Royal Canadian Legion in Kelowna. He regularly volunteered to help with community events. Bob often said that the opportunity to serve both Military Veterans and Youth was the highlight of his retired years.
At Bob's request there will not be a celebration of life or memorial service, but persons may send expressions of sympathy to Marjorie via Email to m.burchinshaw@gmail.com and/or send donations in Bob's name to an Air Cadet Squadron of your choice.