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Posted Oct 24, 2025 | 9:36 AM
Robert “Bob” Wylie passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 19, 2025 at Kingston General
Hospital. He was 90 years old.
Beloved husband of Ruth (Sutton). Loving father to Stephen (Nicole) and Scott (Simone). Dear
grandfather to Brock, Aidan, Quinn, Elise, and Linden.
Bob was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario; he grew up in a working class family. Born midway
through the Great Depression, he experienced hardships, with his father overseas with the Canadian
Army for much of WWII, but also knew the joys of living on Arch Street and of playing euphonium in
the Salvation Army Band. As a teenager Bob got involved with the Christian Youth Centre which later
evolved into Camp IAWAH of which he was a founding member.
Bob moved to Toronto in the 1950s to briefly pursue a technical education. Toronto is where he met
and dated Ruth, the love of his life. He returned to Kingston to complete his secondary education, and
then married Ruth. They lived in Ottawa where he became a teacher, then moved to Smiths Falls
(where Stephen was born), Deep River (where Scott was born), and Belleville. Along the way Bob
earned a Bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University and a Master’s degree from Syracuse University
(go Orange!).
Bob was both geographically and intellectually adventurous. He led his family on camping trips across
Canada and sailing adventures on the Bay of Quinte and beyond. When Stephen and Scott would go to
Camp IAWAH, Bob and Ruth would sail the Thousand Islands and cross Lake Ontario. While Bob
embraced all his adventures (except flying), he tried not to let anyone know that he worried non-stop
when his sons went on their adventures. The warning “watch out for the wet leaves” became a family
metaphor for “be safe”. Bob’s intellectual curiosity led to wide-ranging conversations with family and
friends around the dinner table and in the living room. He would often start conversations by saying
“It’s interesting that…” He found deep meaning in books, movies, and life experience. He brought
that same interest and focus to his personal faith in Jesus Christ, growing into a vibrant spiritual life
through many years of prayer and Christian meditation.
A teacher by vocation and temperament, Bob took pride in leading the instructional media group for
the Hastings County Board of Education. When he retired, he enjoyed sitting in his sailboat with coffee
and donuts, smiling while he watched everyone else going to work. Bob and Ruth enjoyed many years
of retirement adventures, engaging with their Christian community/Parkdale Baptist Church,
volunteering, and travelling…even, occasionally, on a plane. He experienced great joy when his
grandchildren started going to Camp IAWAH.
If you wish, a donation may be made to Camp IAWAH in Bob’s name.
Bob’s funeral service will be held Saturday November 1st at 11 am at the Steele Funeral Home in Belleville, with visitation before hand from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.