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| Coach Douglas - 1969 |
Nov. 19, 2008
Obituary
DOUGLAS, Robert Chisholm "Bobby".
DOUGLAS, Robert Chisholm "Bobby"- 74, Halifax, passed away at home after losing a battle with prostate cancer on November 19, 2008. Bob was the eldest son of the late Della (Chisholm) and R.W. Hugh Douglas.
He received his early education at Tower Road School and was a graduate of Queen Elizabeth High School, where he excelled in athletics. Bob attended Acadia University, where he played varsity basketball for three years and joined the University Naval Training Division (U.N.T.D.). In 1956, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and received his commission in the Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve). The following year, he obtained his Bachelor of Education degree from Dalhousie University, and was the captain of the Tigers basketball team. During this period, Bob spent seven summers in naval establishments training university and sea cadets.
In 1958, he was offered the position of basketball coach with the Acadia Axemen. Afterwards, he taught physical education at St. Patrick's High School while coaching the basketball and football teams. Upon receiving his M.Ed. (Phys. Ed.) from Boston University in 1960, Bob began his long association with Queen Elizabeth High School, from which he retired in 1993.
Bob's teaching and coaching career spanned five decades. His Q.E.H. basketball and football squads won 16 provincial crowns while the 1964 basketball team won the Canadian juvenile championship. Bob also coached the Halifax Schooners to Canadian Senior B championships in 1963 and 1965, and the 1958 Halifax Martlets to the Maritime Senior Women's basketball title.
At Q.E.H., the highest honour a teacher could receive from the student body was the Silver E. The award went to the person who made the greatest contribution to school activities and school life. Bob was the recipient twice, in 1971 and 1981. Bob spent over 20 years as a basketball referee with the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (I.A.A.B.O.), including serving as Nova Scotia president in 1963. In recognition of his years advancing basketball and basketball officiating, he received the J.A. "Wink" Willox Award in 2000. Other awards received included the Hugh A. Noble Award for his contribution to physical education and athletics (1989) and the Frank Baldwin Memorial Award (2004). Besides receiving accolades and honours from students and peers, Bob was also recognized by his alma mater, his city and his province.
He was inducted into the Acadia University Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, received the City of Halifax 250th Anniversary Medal for community achievement, and was inducted into the Nova Sport Hall of Fame in 1994. Bob was an ardent golfer, particularly during his retirement years. He was a member of the Northumberland Golf Club for 20 years and served on the board, including a term as president. His other retirement project was writing a book chronicling Nova Scotia sport from his own perspective. This was accomplished and, in 2000, "Life is a Ball!" was published and was very well-received. Bob received his greatest tribute this past year when the community gym at the new Citadel High School was named the Bob Douglas Community Gym.
Bob is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Libby" (MacRae MacDougall); daughters, Susan (Donald MacDonald), Jane (Bobby Hartley), Leslie (John Carson); grandchildren, Lindsay, Oliver, Oscar, Paul, Patrick, Emma; stepson, Donald MacDougall (Catherine Wong) and their children Billy and Andrew; brother, Joseph "Jock" and wife Carly. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Molly Appeal, Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, St. George's Round Church or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.