Robert Donald Whetham, 1945 – 2025

A Gentle Explorer with a Kind Heart.  It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Bob Whetham, who died while hiking—one of his beloved pleasures—on June 17, at the age of 80.

Born in Calgary in 1945, Bob took the first of many remarkable journeys at just two months old when he traveled with his mother to join his father in South America.

Much of his childhood was spent in Venezuela, Colombia, and especially Peru. The railway tracks that ran along the street in front of his house in Talara and the daily trains with their miniature four-wheel locomotives made an early impression. When he received a Kodak Brownie camera, his passion for trains and photography was born.

Bob attended high school in Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, often spending summers at his uncle’s farm in Windermere, before earning a Bachelor of Arts at UBC. A memorable job and source of many anecdotes was working as a Porter with CP Rail in 1967 on the run between Vancouver and Montreal.

His first job after graduation was with CP Air in Prince George and Calgary, employee fares enabling his growing travel bug. He then pivoted to urban planning, studying at Selkirk College and then working with the Calgary Regional Planning Commission and Qualico Developments.

After meeting and marrying Gretchen, he moved to the Columbia Valley to start his own planning consultancy, first in Invermere and then in Cranbrook.

Later he served as City Planner of Fort McMurray, and ultimately returned to Cranbrook, where he finished his career as Planning Director for the Regional District of East Kootenay.

In addition to inspiring his travel to many countries such as Zaire, Java, China, India, Pakistan, Eritrea, and pretty well all of Central and South America, his passion for trains led him to serve on the Friends of Fort Steele Board.

By then his daughter had grown beyond Thomas the Tank Engine and the family spent much time at ‘The Fort’ with the real steam engines:  Dunrobin and 1077. An outstanding item on his bucket list was a trip to the Beamish Museum to commemorate the repatriation of Dunrobin to England.

After retirement Bob served two terms on City of Cranbrook council and several terms on the Board and as Chair of the Cranbrook Archives Museum and Landmark Society, contributing thoughtful leadership and expertise.  He was a dedicated member of the model railway group at the Cranbrook History Centre and was amused and rewarded by the enthusiasm of visitors, who were frequently invited home to see his basement layouts.

Bob’s interests ran deep. He authored In Search of the Narrow Gauge, the two-volume Railways of Peru, and co-authored Colombian Railways: Past and Present.  He also wrote many magazine articles about railway modelling and the unique trains he rode or photographed in his travels.

Bob’s photography hobby extended to birds after Gretchen retired and prompted more travel with friends to Antarctica, Argentina, Panama, Costa Rica, Japan, Churchill and Bhutan. He could often be found at Idlewild or Elizabeth Lake with his camera. His beautiful images were published regularly in The Advertiser.

Bob was a man of simple joys— trains, birds, writing, and spending time with friends outdoors or over a black coffee or Malbec. He delighted in sharing stories of his adventures, whether abroad or near home.

In fact, when he recently celebrated his 80th birthday, he remarked on how fortunate he was to celebrate his life surrounded by many dear friends—a testament to the warmth and connection he cherished.  No future memorial is planned.

Gretchen and friends acknowledge and thank first responders– Paramedics, Cranbrook Fire, Search and Rescue and the RCMP — for their professional and compassionate care.

Bob was predeceased by his loving parents, Don and Audrey (Harris) Whetham, and his daughter Sarah. He leaves behind his devoted wife and best friend, Gretchen; his brother, Dave; and his sister, Anne. They, along with many others, will miss his kindness, generosity, incredible wit, wisdom, and gentle spirit.

Friends are warmly welcomed to share memories or leave condolences online on the McPherson Funeral Services website or in writing to: McPherson Funeral Services, 2200 2nd Street South, Cranbrook, BC   V1C 1E1.

Donations may be made in Bob’s memory to Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Society (HERE) or to the Rocky Mountain Naturalists Club (HERE).

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