Condolence: Bob hired me into P.S. Ross in 1976. Bob Cummings and Courtney Pratt did the first interviews and it really had nothing to do with business at the time. Back in the day, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal had a hockey tournament and Mr. Cummings said to me "So, I see you play a little hockey". I had not yet graduated from Queen's, but I was invited to come to the tournament the next weekend and that was the start. I think I was the 6th person to be hired into the consulting practice.

Bob instantly became my mentor on the consulting side (not hockey). He was only 6 years older than me, but was so far advanced in business that I only had to be open to his advise and guidance to make me a better professional. We worked on many projects and I always learned something from him.

I sought his advice on many personal matters and his advice was always insightful and valuable. The Deloitte gatherings were legendary and cannot be shared in this venue. The main thing is that Bob made us a team, from EAS, Consultants, Managers and Partners. We were a great Team.

Bob took me to Europe as his COO and it was the highlight of my professional career. I wish that others in the global practice saw and appreciated his value. His building skills and team building was awesome!

Quirky, yes, but we all have our foibles. I learned a lot and he played a great role in my development. I will miss him. He was a great inspiration to Cathy and me.

Condolence: Others have said so well what Bob’s impact has been in so many dimensions.
For me, in the words of Elbert Hubbard, Bob had that incredible ‘ability to see ability in others’.

I will always remember Bob’s generosity but one particularly important instance of that giving spirit. I had taken on more than I should have and had not yet developed the confidence and good sense to ask for help!
Bob noticed, helped me to sort out priorities, gave me a lesson in partnership and then sent Gwenda and me off to a week’s holiday to re-charge.

RIP Bob and thank- you for all that you gave of yourself.

Condolence: I met Bob when he interviewed me on campus at Western (Ivey Business School) in 1989. After meeting him on campus I was asked to travel to Ottawa for a full day of eight interviews with "the firm" - it was a Friday and by end of day I was drained - and I did not yet know the outcome. Later in the evening, I was called to return for a do-over interview on the Saturday morning - they suggested that I could attend in casual attire and be prepared for tough questions. This became my first feedback session with Bob where I learned how I was perceived in the day of interviews. I received encouraging feedback (+), "developmental feedback" (!) and some probing questions. I was asked if the perceptions of me were accurate and what I might be able to do to address the developmental areas. Essentially Bob was probing to determine if I had any self awareness and if I would be “coachable". They seemed to think I had the raw talent but were hoping it would not remain raw for too long! I probably learned more about myself that day than I could even knew at that time in my life - all courtesy of the master talent developer. I had never before received feedback like I received on that day - feedback that looked past my ego and my unpolished veneer to see who I was inside. This has been a regular feature of my relationship with Bob - and of my relationships with so many others in the ecosystem of mentors that he inspired. I dare say it was that first coaching session with Bob that led to what I do today!

Needless to say, I made it through that last hurdle on that Saturday morning and was hired. My life shifted on that day - and has been so much richer as a result. Bob was a mentor, teacher, coach, advisor, and friend. He had a brilliant mind and an incredible creative talent for music, photography and problem-solving. He was generous and caring for those around him. He was complex. He was sometimes eccentric. He was always fascinating and engaging. He was inspiring…a leader of leaders. And for those that got past the "business barrier" and into his inner world, he always shared his sharp wit. All of this was grounded in a set of clear and honorable values. I’ve known Bob for over 30 years and will always owe him a debt for how he helped me develop as a person and guided my career. I can only repay him by paying it forward. I try hard every day.

Condolence: It was my good fortune to have first met Bob when we were undergraduates at St. Patrick's College. I discovered a friend, a warm and kind-hearted human being and an immensely gifted student to whom academic success came easily.
He was an entusiastic member of the drama club, acting in a number of plays but he impressed us most when he wrote, acted in and staged his own play and actually composed songs sung by the cast!
Bob and I were the College yearbook photographers and it was he who initiated me to developing our photos in the darkroom. I got to know his wonderful family when I was a boarder in his home the year I did post-grad studies while he was away studying for his MBA. Later, Bob was best man when Frances and I were wed.
Although we followed different life paths, our shared love of music was a vital link between us. Many a time we spent entertaining friends and family performing piano and clarinet duets of popular songs from the Great American Songbook.
Bob was a superb and generous host entertaining Frances and I when we were chaperoning exchange students to Europe. We were his guests in Brussels, in Wales and several times in his beautiful Fonfournel residence in the Perigord region of France. It was always a delight because he was such a connaisseur of good food and fine wines.
Bob was not a flamboyant individual. He was a modest sincere and genuine person who enjoyed the company of people. Widely admired for his immense talents, initiative and energy, he was an inspiration to many.
He will be sorely missed by his friends and especially by his family.
Our sincere condolances to Bonny and Jim, Donna and Roland.
Adieu mon cher ami!

Paul and Frances caron

Condolence: A brilliant mind
Exceptionally knowledgeable
Multi-talented
Generous to a fault
RIP RVB

Chris and Margaret Devine

Condolence: I met Bob though the Holy Name of Mary Church in Almonte. We worked together on the Finance Committee and we met occasionally through church activities. Bob was a modest person who shared his wisdom and advice in a gentle and kind manner. We were blessed by his input and I think I learned from him. He suffered silently in these years since he was diagnosed with cancer. The world is a better place because of Bob. Thank you, Bob. We will miss you.

Condolence: I knew Bob from his earliest days with P S Ross in Montreal. We were subsequently together for some years in the Ottawa office. Bob was the consumate professional and as others have stated, an excellent identifier and developer of talent. On one particular very important assignment he saved my bacon. I did not see him much after he left for Europe but I was well aware of his successes. I had some implication internationally and I well remember a Norwegian partner singing Bob's praises. My sympathy and condolences to the family.

Condolence: Bob and I met around 1979 or ’80 when he was working in the Ottawa office of Deloitte (then P.S. Ross & Partners), and I was in the Toronto office. We worked together on a number of projects over the following years and became close friends, and remained so until the end.
We had a LOT of great adventures together, involving travel, wonderful meals, good wine, and many, many parties. He was an extremely warm-hearted and generous person, happiest when surrounded by friends and family.

Let’s see … I visited Bob, or traveled with him in New York, France, Ireland, Belgium, Vermont, Nova Scotia, Algonquin Park, Alberta and BC, Wales, and probably a few other spots. He loved doing trips like that, whether backpacking a tent, or staying at a 5-star hotel. I’ve posted a few photos on the “Memories” page.

Of course, he was a strong, energetic and vigorous man for most of his life. Although he lost some of that energy since his surgery, the smile and sense of fun were still there, and I always enjoyed his company.

Goodbye my friend, and bon voyage.

Condolence: Dear Bonnie, Donna and supportive families,
These last few days, while initially taken back by the sudden and sad news at the loss of Bob, we’ve been thinking of you.
Bob B., as we always spoke of him, affected our lives personally with deep friendship, professionally in bringing me into the Touche Family. He became Counsellor, Mentor and Good Friend.
He had an uncanny ability to judge, develop and create talent, of this, many of his disciples would agree. He also bore a strength of conviction and openness in every endeavour.

There were late nights, working or not,(many) parties,(many) always accompanied by fine food, wine and music. Christmas Eve’s in our home with Bob leading the singing of Christmas Carols, cottage weekends(many), picnics, raking fall leaves with a glass of fine wine waiting on a stump. New Year’s in La Hulpe(Brussels). Greer was always thrilled with his Santa replies to her Dear Santa notes, shortbread and sherry gone, he was real! The magical experiences she is able to share memories of, at what she refers to as Châteaux Brouillard in so many world places. Bob had a generous heart with an appetite for experiencing all of life’s offerings, sharing those with many of us.

Bob spoke of you his sisters, Donna, Bonnie and Karen (lost at to young an age) with pride in all of you. His leaving so early places a large hole in all your hearts. May you continue to be the strong women he supported...know that he was cared for and loved. He will always remain in our hearts and thoughts.

With fondness and sharing your sorrow.

Bob and Sande Cummings

Condolence: I was fortunate enough to meet Bob in Brussels, when he and I were working with Deloitte - and later in my home country of Wales. Knowing Bob was an honour - he gave so freely of his time to so many of us, and his advice was valuable beyond price. I am sure that all of us who knew Bob, we who enjoyed his amazing hospitality, his sense of humour and his pure love of life will always remember him with deep affection and gratitude. A remarkable man, a lovely man, a kind and generous man, who will be missed by all who had the honour of knowing him.