It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Past President Bob Pedersen of Nanaimo after a lengthy illness on Friday, December 14th, 2007.

Bob was a president of the BC Wildlife Federation 1969-1971 who chose to remain and serve the federation after his term of office and he served the federation well.

Bob was one who was instrumental in forming the Past Presidents into the Past Presidents Club to enable those Past Presidents who chose, to remain active and contribute further to the federation.

This is a really sad time for me because with Bobs passing I lost a friend that I have known and respected for a large number of years. Bob and I went back a long way. Back to the early 1960s When Bob was president of the Vancouver Island Wildlife Association and I was his vice president who followed him into that office. I also served Bob as Vice President of the BC Wildlife Federation and followed him into that office as well. Bob went on to become the president of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the national organization.

When Bob was president of the Vancouver Island Wildlife Association he led the fight of the Fish and Game Clubs to oppose the proposal by the then Socred government to allow Western Mines to establish a mine in Strathcona Park and mines in our provincial parks. Remember this was at a time when the BC Wildlife Federation was the only conservation organization in the province that would act on a political level. It was from Bob that I got my passion and direction to protect British Columbia's Provincial Parks from industry and privatization.

In all the years that I was associated with Bob I cannot recall an instance when I ever had anything but respect for him. His leadership and integrity were to me always beyond question. His commitment to the issues we faced and the protection of the public interest were total.

While serving the BCWF as President Bob accepted the "White Owl Conservation Award" and the release from the White Owl Cigar company stated "This award was being presented to the federation for having created public awareness of the need to accommodate natural values in the development of BC's natural resources". That was what Bob was all about.

Bob as a professional driver was always the designated driver when we drove to meetings in other parts of the province. I have many memories of those trips and other memories that I shared with Bob. I know those of us in the federation will miss Bob. I will never attend another BCWF convention without looking at the front row of tables where Bob and Ted Barsby' always sat together and where Bob served as BCWF parliamentarian.

For many years Bob and Ted ran the elections of officers. Bob served the organization well and also his local community In Nanaimo. Bob was one of the founders of the now world famous Bathtub Race and Society. He served as its commodore for a number of years. He always gave his best in whatever he did. Bob was given by the Nanaimo Indian Band who he worked and canoed with, the Indian name "Bald Eagle" Bob may well now be out there flying with the eagles. And that's ok, because to me, he always did!.

Ed Mankelow
BCWF Past President