ELIAS, Robert J. (Bob)

1929 − 2017

We are very sad to announce the passing of Robert J. ( Bob) Elias in the early morning hours of March 23, 2017, very peacefully and in his home in Calgary Alberta, aged 87 years.

He is survived by his three children: Nancy ( Gordon Freight), Richard, and Roberta ( Jamie Moyer), and grand daughters Kate, Christine, and Samantha. He is also survived by dear sisters Marjorie Stauffer and Mary Fenwick, his brother Bill, and many nieces, nephews, and their children.

Bob was born on August 17, 1929 in Lethbridge, Alberta, to parents John and Sophie. Bob graduated from Crescent Heights High School, then worked in the banking industry briefly before his entry into the oil industry with Texaco Canada. An intelligent and hardworking man, Bob was promoted to become Canadian Land Manager by the mid−1950s, where he was a key player in assembling the land position of many large oil and gas developments ongoing during this era.

In 1953, he married Catherine Sandahl of Gresham, Oregon. Cathy and Bob raised their family in Calgary, Gresham and Victoria, B. C. Always the entrepreneur, Bob started and ran several small companies in the oil patch and also provided expert land consulting to many firms in later years. Since 1987, Bob was owner and publisher of the Oil & Gas Index, the premier quarterly print and on− line directory to the Canadian oil industry. Bob worked at his company full−time, which he enjoyed immensely, right up to his passing.

Bob Elias also deserves special mention as one of the "original five" that spearheaded the development of the Paskapoo Ski Hill located on the western edge of Calgary in the early 1960s. With his land expertise, Bob contributed greatly to the success of this venture, which later became Canada Olympic Park, and ultimately a venue for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic games.

Bob was an avid golfer for much of his life, and was an active member of the Pinebrook Golf Club, where he golfed until 84 years of age. Bob also enjoyed driving fine automobiles, driving frequently to the west coast and enjoying the company of his family and friends at his destinations.

Bob enjoyed a full and eventful life. He was very generous to others, even when his own resources were limited at times. Bob had a life well lived on his own terms. We are thankful for the gifts of his love and friendship as father, brother, grandfather, uncle, mentor and good friend. The world will miss this ambitious and hardworking entrepreneur.

A private service was for held family and friends to celebrate Bob’s life on April 12, 2017 in Calgary.

Condolences and memories may be sent to calgaryherald.com/remembering.