TCT pavilion at Bower Ponds Red Deer

Central Alberta Regional Trails Society

Bob Johnstone Bower Ponds

 
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In Memoriam - W.J.R (Bob) Johnstone  1938-2006
born July 30, 1938 Calgary; died April 16, 2006 Red Deer; memorial service April 22, 2006 Red Deer (Earth Day)

Bob Johnstone, the longest serving member of the Alberta TrailNet Society's Board of Directors, passed away on April 16, 2006. Bob was a director from 1995 to 2006 and, in addition to serving on TrailNet's Board, was also President of the Central Alberta Regional Trails Society (CARTS).
 
Bob grew up in Red Deer and left to take a Bachelor of Commerce in Calgary and later a Bachelor and Master's of Social Work in Vancouver. For many years he worked with troubled youth in Edmonton, Toronto and Moose Jaw, returning to Red Deer in 1974 to take up a variety of occupations, but with a new focus in his life -- a passion for trails.
 
On his return to Red Deer, Bob saw with great delight that Waskasoo Park and a new trail system were being constructed adjacent to his home -- he became an avid cyclist, cross country skier and runner. Bob said, "This came at a time when the public became more aware that their busy, sometimes stressful and physically inactive lifestyle could change to a more healthy experience of physical and mental wellbeing if they got a little exercise and communed with nature. What better way to get some physical activity than to walk, bicycle, and in-line skate in the peace and beauty of a natural setting".
 
In 1996, Bob's personal vision expanded from one of cycling and walking for recreation purposes to one that included walking and cycling to work on bicycle-friendly streets and trailways. He asked city council to incorporate bicycle-friendly measures and alternate transportation modes in future transportation planning and was a member of the committee responsible for updating the Bicycle Master Plan in 1997. Since that time Bob has been instrumental in ensuring that trails are considered and incorporated in local and regional planning initiatives. Over the past few years most of his efforts have been focused on building support for the Trans Canada Trail and regional connectors in the communities from Penhold to Wetaskiwin, with the result that this significant addition to the routing of the TCT is now in the process of being registered.
 
Bob devoted many volunteer hours to TrailNet and CARTS for the purpose of encouraging development of a network of trails and greenways throughout Alberta. For this we will always be grateful. We remember Bob for his free spirit, his challenging of stereotypes that can limit life's possibilities and his storied exploits out there on the trail. He gave of himself as a mentor, as a friend, and as a thoughtful companion and associate -- a visionary Albertan and trail blazer who will be greatly missed but who has enriched our lives and our province with his life journey.

On July 28, 2008, Red Deer city council named a portion of the city's Waskasoo trail system Bob Johnstone Trail. The trail was dedicated on Sept. 18, 2008.
 

Sylvan Lake



In Memoriam - Bob Johnstone

 

 

 


 

 

 



 

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