It is with regret that I have to share the news that RAdm Bob Yanow crossed the bar on November 19.
YANOW; Robert (Bob) D. CMM, CD, KStJ, Rear-Admiral, RCN (Ret’d) (1933-2017)
Bob Yanow passed away 19 November at the hospice of the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria BC. He is survived by his loving wife Valda; son Robert and daughter-in-law Lynn of Nanaimo; daughter Deborah and son-in-law Nigel of Victoria, and granddaughters Jennifer and Sarah.
RAdm Yanow lived a life of thorough immersion and passionate dedication to the Navy. Having joined the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps “Jervis Bay” in 1946 in his home-town of Saskatoon, he pursued his dream through Royal Roads Military College (1951), and HMCS UNICORN (UNTD 1952), graduating from the University of Saskatoon (BA Maths and Physics) in 1956. Following this he served in various frigates and destroyers of the RCN on both east and west coasts of Canada, as well as serving two years on exchange with HMS SEA EAGLE in Londonderry and with the Royal Navy Far East Fleet. On return to Canada he advanced quickly through the ranks to command HMCS SAGUENAY (1969), during which time he survived the crash and sinking of the ship’s Sea King helicopter. He then commanded in quick succession the then-brand-new HMCS ATHABASKAN (1972), and the First Destroyer Squadron (1974). On promotion to Commodore he was appointed the Naval Attache in Washington DC (1977), after which he returned to Ottawa in several senior positions at the rank of Rear-Admiral (1979-84), He concluded his naval career in Victoria as Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Commander Pacific Region (1984-87).
In retirement, Bob served as the VP for BC Transit (1988-89), Managing Director for the 1994 Commonwealth Games (1989-90) and Chairman of the Centennial Stadium for the Games, and as a Member of the Veterans’ Review and Appeal Board (1997-2002). He was also President of the Victoria Rotary, Chairman of the BC Press Council, Chairman of the Corps of Commissionaires (Victoria), and Chairman of the St John Ambulance (Victoria Branch). For his public service he was made a Knight of the Order of St John in 2009. He remained a great supporter of Sea Cadets and Boy Scouts, giving his name to the Parksville Navy League Cadet Corps, “NLCC Admiral Yanow”. For many years he was the Chair of the annual God’s Acre Memorial Service at the historic veteran’s cemetery in Esquimalt.
Bob Dmytro Yanow will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His last wish was that his ashes be scattered at sea off Royal Roads. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at McCall’s Memorial Gardens on Falaise Drive, Victoria, at 2:00pm on Saturday 2 December 2017. The family wish to thank the Victoria Hospice staff for their very kind care and assistance to all of us in these past few weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria.
