Robert James Gradwell

Son of Florence and Jake/John Gradwell

Eldest brother of Debbi Flann (Ron), Darrell Gradwell (Eva), Sharon Robertson (Gregg), Colin Campbell and Colleen Anderson

Loving and devoted father of Jason Gradwell and Athena Gradwell (Jean-Paul) (best pal Lewis Podlubny)

Dog dad of Sasha Gradwell

Uncle of Rebecca and Eric Brewer, Tyler and Pam Flann, James and Lauren Robertson, Dwayne and Teresa Anderson, Cameron Campbell, Kyle Campbell, and Danielle Campbell

Great Uncle of Reese and Hadley Brewer, Jack Robertson, Brenda Anderson

“Chase your dreams or they’ll go on without you” – Bob Gradwell

Amidst a lifetime of lakeside campfires, Bob once casually uttered this sentence to one of his children fireside at Community lake. He drew from an immeasurable wellspring of experience, and yet he only ever spoke if it improved upon a silence or brought forth laughter. Bob courageously chased his dreams and ceaselessly created new ones while aiding and abetting others with their own. This pursuit took him all over the world as well as earning himself a vast knowledge of the BC wilderness that far surpassed what any map can tell; he knew places that few humans have ever been. His capacity to dream at such depths also made him a realist. Bob took no short cuts and as his brother Colin said, “each period of Bob’s life was a lifetime in itself.” Bob Gradwell is to his children’s generation what John Wayne or Sam Elliot was to his own but reinvented with the loving rebellious free-spiritedness of someone who has encountered lifeforce in a grand and inextinguishable way. 

Though Bob could have written bestselling autobiographical novels about his life, he stayed true to the oral storytelling tradition sung and told around campfires. Bob was a gifted storyteller, his intelligent, clever, keen, bright, quick-witted, and perceptive thoughtfulness ultimately culminated in a fierce sense of humour which affected anyone fortunate enough to be seated at the same campfire. Bob’s life as such bestowed those around him with the richest of stories to tell for themselves.

Bob grew up in Cultus lake, graduated in ‘71, and earned numerous trades over the years which always led to him working in managerial, consultant or advisory capacities.

He played in bands and jammed with rock n rollers who would go on to be Canadian classics. Both of Bob’s children took after him musically and continue to write and play today. From sky diving, riding horses and motorcycles, to hitchhiking all the way to Mexico and San Francisco, Bob shared 55 years of freedom loving friendship with Hollis. And though 72 years is not enough time for his extraordinary presence, it is miraculous he made it so far as his life was full and brimming with bravery.  In his years living near Mable Lake, he rafted treacherous rapids, threw punches, drove cars in demolition derbies in the tall 6ft grass, as well as countless other adventures. He was a long hair in the time of involuntary roadside jackknife hair cuts.

The Coca Cola years brought new challenges, and as always Bob met them full on with integrity and an energy that was known across the country. He was a rockstar of the job, golf courses and ski hills were extensions of the office. In the gonzo style of the time there were rumours of men in full suits socializing in swimming pools with their ties floating on the water’s surface.

Hunting and fishing were renowned skillsets of Bob’s, flying into remote woods and winning countless fishing derbies as well as helping his son Jason to win some of his own (even if that meant trading the first place prize of a year’s supply of motor oil for awards more suited toward a kid’s liking). Bob kept everyone’s deep freeze full of wild food. His generosity and care truly made life easier for those around him. “It’s a good life, Athena, if you don’t let it wear you down.” And he made sure to show us all the goodness of life, not allowing it to weigh down on those he loved even for a moment.

Bob’s final career, which he built for himself, had him living in remote cabins up north alongside the wolves amidst cold indomitable winters. He continued his legacy making new friends and caring for relations there as well as caring for those back home as he always did. These bits of Bob’s history which we have gathered barely scratch the surface of his life and this is due to him being a deeply humble man. He always gave more than he took. Many of his accomplishments and feats will be held in the silences of the world along with him. 

In his last years it felt as if what Peter Fonda said in Easy Rider (1969) could have been directly spoken to Bob instead, “No, I mean it, you’ve got a nice place. It’s not every man that can live off the land, you know. You do your own thing in your own time. You should be proud”. 

And he was proud. Throughout Bob’s life, he exhibited an unyielding strength of character alongside a will of steel, and it was right through his last breath that this strength endured. As a father his voice did not waver once in its kind, wise, loving and comforting tone.

Bob Gradwell was one of the last cowboys. He rode off into the night on the year of the horse beneath the dark cover of the new moon.

“There will come a time when you believe everything is
finished; that will be the beginning.”
― Louis L’Amour

“The Apache don’t have a word for love,” he said.
“Know what they both say at the marriage?”
“Tell me.”
“Varlebena. It means forever. That’s all they say.”
― Louis L’Amour, Hondo

Bob Gradwell’s Celebration of Life will be on his birthday July 8th. All of those who knew the greatness of Bob are invited. Expect catered Mexican food, live music, camping, campfire stories, and ice cold beer.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-554-2324

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: