Obituary of Robert Douglas Stevely

1937 – 2021

Robert Douglas “Dougie” Stevely, age 83, of Cranbrook, B.C., passed away on January 27, 2021 in the East Kootenay Regional Hospital with his family by his side.

Doug was born in the St. Eugene Hospital in Cranbrook on October 21, 1937 to Bill and Esther (Perrson) Stevely. Doug was always referred to as Dougie by the Stevely family, and in later years he often introduced himself as Dougie. The oldest of three brothers, Doug was always tinkering and building in what turned into a lifelong pursuit of looking for, and often finding, a better way of doing things. After building a wooden car with a gasoline powered washing machine motor at 8 years of age, Doug progressed to building a boat, a pole frame cabin and then what the family remembers as “the little house” for his grandmother when she moved to Cranbrook from Moyie. Doug attended Central School and then Mount Baker Secondary and graduated a proud member of the Class of ‘55. Doug kept in touch with his classmates and attended many reunions. Doug would often recount the story of how his hands-on building experience and work at JS&B Sawmill resulted in him graduating high school on Friday and being back at the school on Saturday morning installing windows in the new addition as an employee of Cranbrook Sash and Door. Doug worked for many years as an assayer at Cominco in Kimberley. He kept his building skills keen by undertaking such “small” projects as building a triplex in Cranbrook. His true calling, though, was teaching. He attended UBC to attain his Bachelor of Education and BCIT for his Industrial Education teacher credentials. Upon graduation, he returned to Cranbrook in a two door Ford Maverick overflowing with his university projects, including a full-sized shuffleboard table and a redwood strip canoe riding on the roof rack. Doug’s first teaching assignment was at McKim School in Kimberley. From there he was off to Laurie Middle School in Cranbrook before accepting an assignment at Mount Baker Secondary School. There he taught math, metal work, woodwork, and electronics. He often said he always had the best kids in the school! Students created some fantastic projects in the Mount Baker shops with Doug’s wisdom and guidance. After he retired, he loved seeing former students out and about in the community.

After retiring, one more major building project lay ahead. Doug built a grand house, with Marianne’s help of course, in the Southview neighbourhood of Cranbrook. It surely has one of the most spectacular views in town, but Doug always remarked that the best thing was the wonderful neighbours. He enjoyed that view and those neighbours every single day. Never one to pass up “good stuff”, Doug collected a wide variety of items through his life. He treasured cookbooks and recipes, old and new, and gathered them from every imaginable source. He loved to cook and had hoped to try his hand at making doughnuts. Something that never changed was his love for a beer or two at the local Legion. Every Friday afternoon would find Doug relaxing there enjoying lively conversations with colleagues, his uncles and cousins, and his many friends. He valued friendships greatly and came to cherish video chats with several friends in Australia. Through the years Doug’s life was enriched by many four-legged friends as well. He walked and cross country skied many happy miles with his dogs running beside him. Doug is missed deeply by his cat Muffin and his dog Molly. Doug is survived by his son Mike, daughter-in-law Heather, and his grandson Will. Doug is also survived by his cousin Janet Hogg and her family. Doug had a wonderful relationship with his uncles and aunts and all his cousins. There was nothing better in his eyes than a Stevely Christmas gathering or a morning (just not too early) breakfast with his cousins. He would always say “family is forever”. Doug is also survived by his wife, Marianne Langin. Doug and Marianne were married on February 29, 2016, after over 30 years together. The Langin family meant a great deal to Doug and he embraced them as his own. Cousin Edna (Langin) Ferguson was a treasured friend to Doug. He will be missed by Marianne’s brothers, Bob and Herb and their families.

Doug was predeceased by his parents and his two brothers, Don and Gerry, and Marianne’s parents, John, and Cathie Langin.

 If you wish, donations in Doug’s honour may be made to: Therapeutic Paws of Canada TPOC Team Cranbrook c/o 4220 29th S Cranbrook, B.C V1C6Z6 or The Salvation Army 533 Slater Rd NW Cranbrook, B.C V1C4Y5.

www.mcphersonfh.com

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