Safe Passage for Robert Buller

With the sudden death of Robert Buller in late October, we at Canadian Yachting lost a valued friend and contributor, while many in the marine industry on the West Coast and throughout North America lost a respected colleague. Robert’s wide circle of friends in boating knew him in many roles: a journalist with a strong interest in marine equipment and systems; a dedicated Canadian Power Squadron instructor with a specialty in navigation; owner of the classic 48’ Monk powerboat Nirvana; a keen restorer of wooden small craft; even as the guy who took your docklines and pumped fuel at Broughton Islands marinas such as Jennis Bay and Pierre’s Echo Bay, where he and partner Karen spent their summers recently.

But boating was just one of his many passions; they also included broadcasting, cars, motor racing and motorcycles, operating small businesses, teaching and mentoring fellow-entrepreneurs, business writing and publishing, and working with various non-profit organizations. Robert tackled everything he did with enthusiasm, humour and integrity, and that meant building communities and making good things happen came naturally to him. For those reasons, his passing will be felt sharply in all of his chosen fields.