Obituary of Thomas Robert Bob B.Com FCPA TURNBULL

Bob passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children in his 89th year. He will be sorely missed by Joan (Colton), his wife and best friend of 66 years; their children Nancy (Gill), David (Catherine) and Glenna; grandchildren David, Kathryn (Aleksei), Christina (Brian), Caitlin (Richard), Thomas, Martin and Reid; and great-grandchildren Eleanor and Audrey. Due to the early death of Bob’s father, he left elementary school and worked as an office boy in a legal firm for two years, followed by an eleven year position with Montreal Shipping Company as an accounting clerk. With the help of a tutor, Bob prepared for and successfully wrote McGill University entrance exams and was awarded a High School leaving certificate in 1949. In 1955 he received his B.Com degree from Sir George Williams evening University. He then articled with Ernst & Ernst, received his CA designation in 1957, became a Partner in 1969, Partner in charge of the Montreal office in 1973, transferred to Toronto in 1977 to become Canadian Managing Partner. Following an international merger in 1979, he became Canadian Chairman of Ernst & Whinney. Then followed a Canadian merger with Thorne Riddle to become Thorne, Ernst & Whinney, taking the position as Chairman in 1986, from which he retired in 1989. Bob was active in the Quebec Institute of CA’s, a member of the Education Committee, arranging annual meeting programs, notably a prestigious panel on the pros and cons of inflation accounting. His involvement in the CICA included the committee to study the audit expectation gap, and followed a year later by chairing a small group to study and report on the implementation of the committee’s recommendations. Bob was also a founding member, Advisory Council of the Professional School of Accountancy, University of Waterloo; governor Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation; member, Panel of Senior Advisors to the Auditor General of Canada. Not a great but avid golfer, Bob played in the 1982 Canadian Pro Am tournament at Glen Abbey. He was lucky to draw Johnny Miller as his pro and they won! Also, after many near misses, he finally got a hole-in-one in 2003. A private service will be held for family only. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Bob Turnbull, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: 403-256-9575.