September 19, 1949 — April 20, 2025

The family is sad to announce the passing of Bob Johnson in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 20th after a long and heroic battle with cancer. He died peacefully in his sleep with family nearby.

Bob was predeceased by his parents Len and May, and his younger brother Larry. Survived by his loving wife of 50 years Natividad (Tina), son Reynan (Susanne), daughters Tanya (Darshan), Brenda (Darcy), grand children Mia, Caden, Kyla, Cruz, Halle and his dog Toby, his loyal companion, as well as his brother Brian (Sherry) and their families.

Bob was born and raised in Nanaimo BC. In his youth he enjoyed sports, playing softball (fast pitch) and soccer. In his late teens he enjoyed mechanics and working on modified race cars with his friend and driver at the old Grandview Bowl Racetrack in Nanaimo. This led to his interest in aircraft mechanics, and he enrolled and studied at Pacific Vocational Institute (later part of BCIT) in Vancouver. Bob worked his first job in Thompson Manitoba on fixed wing aircraft but after less than a year he got a call from Okanagan Helicopters where he began his long and rewarding career in this close-knit industry. While working for Okanagan he spent a year based out of the Philippines where he met his wife Tina, who was a singer. She won him over when he requested her to sing “The Green, Green Grass of Home”. While based in the Philippines he also worked in Thailand and Burma (Myanmar).

After a year in the Philippines Bob returned to BC with his new wife and settled in Kamloops. A year later they relocated to Prince George and settled there for 37 years. Bob worked for Okanagan, Northern Mountain, VIH (Vancouver Island Helicopters), Cariboo Chilcotin, and Mustang Helicopters. He worked all over BC, the Northern Territories, Artic, Newfoundland, a number of US states, and any where else helicopters needed repair, maintenance and servicing. Bob became very close with all of his colleagues, and many kept in touch with him during his illness which always lifted his spirits. As Bob moved closer to retirement and his kids and grand children moved to Kelowna and Seattle, he moved back to Kamloops where he continued to work for a few more years with Mustang Helicopters in Alberta.

Bob loved camping, fishing, target and skeet shooting, dirt biking and quading with his buddies. But most of all he loved watching his grandchildren excel in all their chosen sports. He would make the trip down to Seattle a few times a year to see their competitions. Bob also became a huge fan of the Seattle Kraken hockey team and would take in their practices whenever he could while visiting the kids.

Bob was a wonderful, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. If you were lucky enough to be his friend, he would do anything for you. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all.

The family would like to thank Dr. Farrell and his staff for all their support and to Dr. Farrell for always bringing some humour to Bob and putting a smile on his Face. Thank you also to the RIH staff for their caring of Bob during some rough times.

By Bob’s wishes there will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to The Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

• Date : 2025-04-20
• Location : Kamloops