Tribute

Robert Wild was born in Montreal, Quebec, to Elsie and Harold Wild, eldest of three children. Bob grew up in Montreal, attending McGill University where he earned a BA in 1949. Bob loved academia and made lifelong friends in the Student Christian Movement at McGill. He married Barbara Smardon in 1949. Their first child, Cathy, was born in Montreal in 1951.

Bob continued his studies at Huron Theological College, earning a Licentiate in Theology in 1954. During Bob’s final year at Huron college, Bob and Barbara moved to St. Thomas, Ontario where Bob acted as Deacon at St Hilda’s church before being ordained as an Anglican priest. Bob and Barbara’s second child, Stephen, was born in St Thomas in 1954. Upon ordination, Bob accepted a position as parish priest of the two-point parish of Christ Church, Glanworth and St Hilda’s St Thomas.

While living at Glanworth, Bob and Barbara welcomed their third and fourth children, Nora and Anne. The family lived in an old stone rectory with minimal financial resources, struggling to pay for coal and other essentials, and depending on the generosity of the farming community which Bob served.

Throwing himself into his work, Bob described this period of his life as a time when, “he was determined to bring in the kingdom of God single-handedly.” In 1959, unable to meet this goal to his own satisfaction, Bob stepped away from parish work, accepting a position as Diocesan Secretary Treasurer and traveling missionary with the Synod Office in Saskatoon.

For the next five years, he spent his weekends driving the highways of southern Saskatchewan, holding services where no Anglican priest was stationed. He had many adventures on these weekends, driving through the coldest winter nights, meeting members of the farming community in their homes, and taking services in remote churches. Bob and Barbara’s fifth child Peter was born in 1959.

In 1964 Bob became the Anglican Chaplain for the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Here, Bob enjoyed the freedom to encourage dialogue and debate among students, embracing the campus spirit of the 1960’s. He and Barbara regularly hosted large gatherings of young people, offering fellowship, along with generous helpings of chili con carne.

In 1969 Bob returned to parish work at St Francis-in-the-Wood in West Vancouver, BC, where he served for ten years. During this time Bob took a sabbatical year to complete a Master’s Degree in Theology from Trinity College in Toronto. An avid reader, Bob enjoyed his work at St Francis very much, sharing his studies about the history of the early church, and encouraging debate and discussion among parishioners.

Bob’s marriage with Barbara ended in 1979, which sent Bob into a time of sadness and introspection. He left St Francis and spent four months traveling in Europe by himself with a backpack. This trip took on the significance of a healing pilgrimage for Bob; the experiences he had on this trip continued to ground and inspire him for the rest of his life.

On his return from Europe, Bob accepted a position as parish priest at St Patrick’s Mission in Edmonton for one year before moving to St Augustine’s Church, also in Edmonton. At St Augustine’s Bob met and married Audrey Starr in 1983.

Bob and Audrey retired to Salt Spring Island in 1989, where they built a beautiful home with a garden, greenhouse and large wood-working shop for Bob. Bob was a talented woodworker, making many beautiful furniture pieces both for himself and Audrey and for many other people and organizations.

Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed outdoor activities including golf, tennis, alpine and cross-country skiing, camping, canoeing and fly-fishing. Audrey shared Bob’s passion for the outdoors and, together, they had many adventures including particularly memorable trips to Myrtle Lake, the Maritime provinces and the British Isles.

Bob was known and loved by many for his spiritual guidance and leadership. He was also a passionate advocate for social justice and protection of the environment. He supported many charities. On Salt Spring Island he was active in the Ometepe Coffee group and was a founding member of the Salt Spring Documentary Film Festival. He led retreats and spoke at conferences. He authored four books: Frontiers of the Spirit, A Christian View of Spirituality (1981), Sacred Presence (2004), Realm of the Sacred (2014) and A Primer for Spirituality in the 21st Century (2019).

Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife Audrey by ten days, also by grandchildren Sara Ewen and Michael Morgan.

Bob is survived by his children Cathy Kleinman, Stephen Wild, Nora Morgan, Anne Millerd (John), and Peter Wild (Tara); step children Jane Starr (Marcel Chichak), Alison Starr, and Peter Starr; grandchildren Fredrick Ewen, Peter Millerd (Jennifer), Frances Millerd (Brock Hunter), Jeff Millerd Sol (Laura Richardson Sol), Joshua Kleinman, Rosa Levin (Denis), Kieran Wild, Tom Chichak (Pam Kriangkum), Will Chichak, and Riel Starr; as well as greatgrandchildren Reuben Sol, Orïa Sol, Taika Sol, Benjamin Millerd, Luke Millerd, Anna Hunter and Claudia Levin.

Donations can be made in Bob’s name to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

A joint service and reception is planned for Bob and Audrey on Saturday May 3rd, at All Saints Anglican Church on Salt Spring Island. Details to be announced.