11/07/2025
In Loving Memory
Robert (Bob) Stanley Storey
April 28, 1941 – November 1, 2025
It is with deep sadness that the family of Robert (Bob) Stanley Storey announces his passing on November 1, 2025, at the age of 84. Born in Victoria, British Columbia, on April 28, 1941, Bob was raised in Fort Steele and the Crowsnest Pass, where his lifelong love of the outdoors took root. At the time of his passing, Bob was a resident of Creston, BC.
Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Debra, in 2010, and by his parents, Lucille (née Buckman) and Raymond Stanley Storey.
He is survived by his four children: Robert, Melanie, Cheryl, and Jim, all of his siblings, Jim, Judy and Mona along with numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Bob was also looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild in February 2026, a joyful moment he sadly did not live to see.
Bob’s family history is deeply tied to British Columbia’s pioneering past. His grandfather, Jim Buckman, was the blacksmith in Fort Steele. Jim and his father, Charles Hicks (later known as Buckman), arrived together in Fort Steele in 1898 after leaving the United States, where Charles had served as a sharpshooter for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Bob was also proud of his Chinese and Native American (Salish/Paiute) heritage, descending from Lum Chin Kee known as Ah Kee Lum of Canton, China who immigrated during BC’s gold rush and eventually settled in Fort Steele. His great-uncle, Pete Lum, was well known throughout the Kootenays and lived a remarkable life living to the age of 101 when he died in 1998.
Bob spent much of his career at Crestbrook Forest Industries in Canal Flats, where he served as Safety Coordinator. He was known to his colleagues and the community as “Dr. Bob” for his service as the ambulance attendant for both the sawmill and the town. Holding the highest level of First Aid certification, Bob was often the first to step forward in an emergency and was deeply respected for his calm competence and compassion.
A man of many interests, Bob loved hunting, fishing, camping, and gold panning, and was happiest surrounded by nature—whether along a creek with a gold pan or sharing stories beside a campfire. He also had a lifelong appreciation for music, and later in life took up the guitar, often playing at senior gatherings, where his easygoing nature and humour were warmly received.
Bob had a unique knack for predicting the gender of unborn babies, a gift that both amused and amazed friends and family.
Known as a helpful and generous neighbour, Bob was always ready to lend a hand, offer advice, or fix something that needed mending. His kindness, quick wit, and practical wisdom left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Bob will be remembered with respect and gratitude for his steady presence, his quiet strength, and his enduring love of the outdoors and the community he called home.
By his request, no service will be held.
