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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.
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