Robert Gordon Boyd

I am heartbroken to share the passing of Rob, on January 18, 2026, following the second significant brain hemorrhage within a year, caused by Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA). This past year revealed Rob’s true colours—his grit, resilience, and determination to get back as close as possible to what he called “normal.” His goal was to live independently and continue enjoying the things he loved most, especially swimming and music lessons. With the support of many caring people, he was able to do just that. I am incredibly proud of him.

Rob was born in Victoria, the eldest of five children. When he was six, the family moved to the Valleyview area of Kamloops, where they lived on an acreage that included an apple orchard—sparking what would become Rob’s lifelong love of apples. He and his two eldest siblings took piano lessons with Mrs. Francis in North Kamloops, and music remained a constant in Rob’s life from then on. He played the piano and later took up the guitar.

Rob and his brother Danny joined Sea Cadets in Kamloops, inspired by their dad’s service in the navy. When Rob was twelve, the family moved back to the coast and settled in Coquitlam. It was a significant change for everyone—from a rural childhood filled with scrub softball in the summer and homemade skating rinks in the winter to the pace and scale of city life. By all accounts, Rob was something of a wild child in his late teens. He joined the Sea Cadet program in New Westminster, where—by his own admission—he learned how to drink. At 18, he hitchhiked south to the United States without telling anyone, much to his parents’ dismay. His adventure ended with a bus ride home from Florida. Hoping to help him find a different path, Rob was sent to Fort St. James to live with Aunt Jean, Uncle Alec, and his cousins Howard, Norm, and Linda. While success was limited, the connections he made there lasted a lifetime. At 20, Rob headed south again—this time on his motorcycle, and with his parents’ knowledge. 

In his twenties, Rob discovered Transcendental Meditation (TM), which became a grounding force throughout his adult life. He deeply internalized the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and the time he spent meditating enriched not only his own life but also the lives of those around him.

Throughout his twenties, Rob wore many hats, working an astonishing variety of jobs. He was a logger, mail sorter, doorman, student, teacher, childcare worker, green chain worker, deckhand, carpenter’s helper, kitchen server, truck driver, sign painter, and mine serviceman. At age 30, he returned to school at Camosun College, earning a diploma in Electrical/Electronics Technology. This led to a career as a hardware technician at Digital Equipment throughout his thirties. Never one to stay still, Rob reinvented himself again in his forties, transitioning into software and ultimately finishing his career as a Database Administrator with BC Assessment.

In his forties, Rob discovered running and embraced it wholeheartedly. He completed six marathons, along with numerous half-marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. Sea kayaking also became a passion, with many paddling trips along the west coast and around Victoria, including learning to surf kayak at Jordan River. Rob loved hiking in East Sooke Park, Port Renfrew at Botanical Beach, and later in PKOLS Park. In his sixties, he returned to motorcycling—something he loved deeply—until he was sadly forced to give it up following his CAA diagnosis in 2018.

And the boat—can’t forget the boat. Rob had a lifelong love of boats and the ocean. In the early 2000s, he convinced me that buying a 40-foot wooden boat, a former fishing vessel, was a good idea. On our maiden voyage to Gabriola, the boat caught fire. The boat was sold in 2006 so Rob could attend the Fine Furniture program at Camosun College, a year-long course that culminated in a chair awarded Best of Show. Woodworking brought Rob immense joy and satisfaction for many years.

Rob retired in 2016 and once again threw himself into new challenges. He took piano lessons, learned how to swim, and set a goal of completing a triathlon. He achieved that goal as part of a Half Ironman relay team—Rob swam, I ran, and Greg cycled.

Rob was also a devoted history buff, with a particular interest in the world wars. In the spring of 2016, we travelled to France and walked the very grounds where our uncles and great-uncles had fought. Standing at the Vimy Ridge Memorial, reading the names of the men who were lost there, was a deeply moving experience—one that Rob held close to his heart.

As CAA increasingly complicated his life, swimming became a central focus for Rob. In 2017, he proudly participated in the Swim for MS at Thetis Lake, thrilled to complete the 1,500-metre distance. He joined a triathlon club and began training seriously, which led him to Durance Lake, where he met the “Mermaids.” They welcomed him warmly, and Rob soon became their beloved “Merman.” Lake swimming evolved into ocean swims during the warmer months and SwimFit sessions at Commonwealth Pool in the winter. The Mermaids did everything they could to help Rob continue swimming and to live fully in his final years.

Rob was deeply committed to giving back. In the 1980s, he was involved with the Refugee Association, helping sponsor families fleeing war-torn countries. One such family, the Adgiras, arrived in Canada in 1984 and became family to Rob, just as he became family to them—a bond that remains strong today. Rob was also involved with the Family Violence Project, first using its services when he needed support, and later paying that support forward to others seeking help. Most recently, Rob volunteered for the cAPPricorn Study for CAA, hopeful that research might one day spare others from the disease. Though it could not help him, he believed deeply in its potential.

Rob leaves behind me, his wife of 35 years, Gail; his daughter Sarah (Andrew); his son Evan; his stepchildren Karla, Greg (Tine), Melanie (Steve), and Matt (Angele); and his grandchildren Sam, Liam, Myrthe, Flora, Maverick, Scarlett, and Riverly. He is also survived by his sisters Bonnie (Tom), Susan (Ron), and Cindy (Ross); his sister-in-law Karen (Danny’s wife); and his sisters-in-law Wendy (Greg), Janice (Wes), and Patti (Randy), along with their families. Rob was predeceased by his mother June in 1972, his brother Danny in 1993, and his father Gordon in 2014.

At Rob’s request, there will be no formal service. Family and friends are warmly invited to a gathering to share stories and celebrate Rob’s life on April 18, 2026, 1-4pm, at 1710 Midgard Avenue, Victoria, BC.

Please, no flowers. If you wish to make a donation in Rob’s memory, contributions to the Brain Canada Foundation, the Victoria Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.