May 18, 1930 – November 5, 2023
at the age of 93 years:

                     A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at First United Church in Salmon Arm, on Sunday, November 26 at 1:30 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church hall.

               Robert Ernest Harold Scales, known to everyone as Bob, passed away in his hometown of Salmon Arm, BC on November 5, 2023, after a short illness. Bob was predeceased by his wife Martha, younger brother Jim, and stepson Chris. He leaves behind his daughter Karen (Robert), and sons Alan (Tami) and Paul (Melanie). He is fondly remembered by his stepchildren Susan, and Gord (Mila). Bob’s family included grandchildren, Caitlin, Giordano, Kendra, Anna, Aaron, Jennifer, Allison, Tyrell, Trenton and Taisha, and great grandchildren Kaiden, Austin, Adelyn, Iris, Daisy, and Kai.

Bob was born in Revelstoke, BC and grew up in Salmon Arm. As a young man, Bob worked at many of his father’s and uncle’s businesses, set type for the Salmon Arm Observer and picked fruit, before joining a family friend’s company as an electrical apprentice. Working for various electrical firms, Bob travelled and lived throughout BC, including in Cranbrook, where he met and married his first wife Mardy in 1955. While wiring the new church in Smithers, Bob spent evenings in conversation at the home of the local minister and his wife that ignited his desire to join the clergy. Early postings for the United Church of Canada included Texada Island, Port McNeil, and Alert Bay. After completing his studies at Vancouver School of Theology, Bob was officially ordained as a United Church minister in 1962.

Bob served in the United Church Central Mainland Marine Mission on the Robert C. Scott, the Thomas Crosby IV, and the Thomas Crosby V. in various capacities, including Skipper, Missionary, and Mate. On the land, he served congregations in Smithers, Houston, Telkwa, Kelowna, Prince George, Gibsons, Davis Bay, and Surrey and was Presbytery Officer, based in Terrace. In addition to these pastoral charges, he worked at a wide variety of jobs, including millwright, warehouseman, and cabinetmaker. When Bob retired from the Ministry, he and Martha built their dream home in Halfmoon Bay, where they spent several years running a bed and breakfast before returning to Salmon Arm.

A true carpenter at heart, Bob always had home projects on the go, often involving removing walls and replacing windows, decks, and kitchen cabinets. Even while vacationing at the family cabin in Sunnybrae, he kept busy making home and property improvements.

Retirement meant that Bob could spend even more time in his meticulously organized workshop, doing fine woodwork projects which were gifts or donations to worthy causes. His knowledge of church business and construction, combined with a passion for social issues, made him an invaluable member of various church committees. He also enjoyed making wine (served for Happy Hour promptly at 4:00), reading, doing crossword puzzles, spoiling his dogs, and reflecting and reminiscing of the time spent in the misty fjords of the north coast.

The family is deeply appreciative of the staff of Piccadilly Terrace, who created a comfortable, caring environment for Bob over the last few years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the SPCA or the Shuswap-Revelstoke branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.