Orville Lloyd Robson

Medals & Honours: Commanding Officer’s Commendation, Queen’s Jubilee 25th Medal, Queen’s 50th Year Medal, Queen’s 60th Year, 35 Years Gold Bar & Stars Medal

Pillar Location: Pillar VII, Row 14, Column F

Story: 

I was born to Lloyd and Margret Robson, both pioneers of Melfort, Saskatchewan. Our mixed farm was located across from the Melfort Research Station. I grew up with my older brother Jack and younger brother Bob. We were expected to do chores, do well in school, and go to the Presbyterian church on Sunday. I was a Junior Leader at the Presbyterian Church Camp at Christopher Lake, belonged to 4H, Garden Club, Swine Club and Beef Club, and was a member of the Melfort Air Cadets #171 where I obtained my private pilots’ licence. I worked during the summer at the Research Station, played basketball in high school, drove school bus part-time, was on call as a guard at the Detachment. We had many cousins, aunts and uncles in the area, as well as family friends. I have to say that my childhood and youth kept me busy; we could stay out late Saturday night, but Dad made sure we were up for church Sunday morning.

I always wanted to be a member of the RCMP. I joined the Force on 68 NOV 18 at the age of twenty. My training was at Depot and Penhold, then I was transferred to “E” Division at Penticton Detachment. I met Barbara McIvor there and we were married on 71 DEC 18. I enjoyed General Duty, with Community Policing, involving myself in every community. We took transfers to Agassiz in 70-78, Revelstoke 78-83, promoted to Corporal to Vanderhoof 83-88, then Colwood in 83-92. Our next move was a promotion in 1992 as a Sargent in Charge of Summerland Detachment, something I had been working for throughout my career in G.D. It was all I expected and more, and I managed to avoid many transfers out of there, yet everyone wanted the Okanagan! I retired from the RCMP in Summerland April 2004, after almost 12 years in charge and with 35 ½ years of service.

I received the “Queen’s 25 Year Jubilee Medal” in 1977 and subsequently awarded the “Queen’s 50 Year” and “Queens 60 Year” Medals, of which I am extremely proud. I was honoured to receive the “Commanding Officer’s Commendation” in 1975 for disarming a dangerous and mentally disturbed man. In addition, I was presented with my “35 Years Gold Bar and Stars Medal”.

Throughout my service, I had many investigations I solved, as well as many files that were conducted as a team member, some with great results, some still unsolved. Rosedale Murders 1977, Kluber Plane Bombing, resulting in the deaths of John Kluber and Ross Devauld in Vanderhoof, 1983 (unsolved), Guyatt Murder Colwood 1992, and the Grono – Machell Murders in Summerland 1997 are some files I spent many hours working on. There are many cases you remember but you never forget the unsolved ones, nor do you forget the time you held someone in your arms as they passed at the scene of an accident.

As I reflect on my entire career, it was not a job, it was a dream. I saw so many changes throughout my career. Court that fell on your days off and you were expected to be there and without compensation, long hours making sure the duties were completed before you went home. The many fine recruits I trained, who went on to greater things within the Force, excelling in whatever they choose. The many fine bosses that I learned from, as well as a couple that I had conflict with, learning from all of them and retaining what I felt was essential to make me a better police officer.

We have two wonderful daughters, Nicole born in 1976 in Chilliwack and Kimberly born in 1978 in Revelstoke. Barbara worked mostly for the B.C. Government at various secretarial/administration jobs, Conservation, Labour Services, Executive Assistant to M.L.A. at the Parliament. In Summerland Barbara worked for B.C. Parks, and our daughters finished school there, and went on to careers in Probation for Nicole who married Marc Solomon in 2002 and Therapeutic Recreation Practitioner for Kimberly who married Richard Hulbert in 2015. We were blessed with our perfect granddaughter, Kaelynne born to Nicole and Marc in 2007.

Post-retirement we choose to remain in Summerland where I stay active in the community. I am one of the founding members of Penny Lane, a retail outlet that focuses on youth and investing in them in our community. Since selling our two stores in 2013, we established a Legacy Fund which continues to provide funding to the community in many ways, with school bursaries, contributions to University of BC Okanagan Campus for scholarships, Okanagan College bursaries, local school breakfast clubs, the Summerland Skate Park, and more. I also served 3 years as a Councilor on City Council; did a term of 9 years on Parkdale Place Housing Society, with six of those years as Chairman. I was active in the Summerland Rotary Club for 23 years and a current member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #22. I joined the Masonic Lodge in 1978 and have maintained a great relationship in this fraternal order. I joined the South Okanagan RCMP Veterans’ Association in 2005 and serving my 2nd term as President in 2021. I highly recommend joining this rewarding organization, both to protect our benefits, provide valuable information for surviving spouses and take in the social opportunities.

Troopmates from #16 Troop 68/69 came together in Regina at Depot, all very green! Fast forward to 2018 and our fabulous 50th year Reunion since joining. We had our 50th at Depot on June 18 -21, 2018 with 16 members attending from across Canada, staying at the RV park and rooms at Depot. Many came with spouses, and misgivings on “should I do this”, “do I want to do this”? The majority had not seen each other since pass out in 1969, but the camaraderie and companionship were unbelievable, no one wanted to say goodbye. We picked up where we left off. As we toured through Depot down memory lane, we encountered new troops who said “Wow, 50 years, I want us to be just like that”!

My brother Jack is survived by his wife Ann & family who all reside in Melfort, Sk. My brother Bob & his partner Sandy also live in Melfort on the home place. Barbara’s parents came from Selkirk, MB to Calgary after the war, Colin her father served for five years overseas. Her mother Martina was a Registered Nurse. Colin worked for C.I.L. Explosives, at Brainard and moved to Calgary to start the plant in Ogden. Martina worked at the Calgary General, on Pediatrics. My parents wintered at Pine to Palm Resort in Weslaco, Texas, every winter. Our Christmases were always in Calgary, we would make the trip from wherever we were posted. Summers we would make the trek East through Calgary to Melfort. Barbara’s sister Marty and Larry McComb retired from the oil business to B.C.

My father Lloyd died in 1995, my mother Margaret died in 2016 both having lived a full and happy life, my brother Jack died tragically in 1999 after an MVA on Hwy. #19 between Saskatoon and Melfort. My in-laws, Martina (2009) and Colin (2004) McIvor were another constant in our lives, travelling from their home in Calgary, Alberta to every post we had and moved to Summerland in 2001 to be closer to us.

My entire service was extremely rewarding, always challenging, at times exciting and sometimes sad. Through it all, I as well as my family, made friends throughout the Province, inside and outside of the Force, they remain an integral part of our lives to this day.

I give full credit for my career and lifetime to the full support of Barbara, my daughters, my two sons-in-law Marc and Richard, family, and friends. Life is GRAND!