ROBERT (BOB) VAUGHAN PARSONS, PhD

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

• I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Bob Parsons. I feel sadness and gratitude, sadness for losing Bob too early, and the pain Bob's passing will have on his lovely wife, Selma, and beautiful daughters, Katie and Kari. Gratitude for having the privilege of knowing Bob and hearing his ideas. Bob was one of those people whose presence made a room more interesting. He was enthusiastic, intellectually curious, and genuinely engaged with the world around him. He loved ideas, but not in a distant or abstract way. He wanted ideas to matter. He wanted them tested, taught, debated, explained, and used to make society better. That came through clearly in his work as a teacher. Bob taught at the University of Manitoba, and by all accounts, he was very good at it. On Rate My Professors, he had a perfect 5.0 rating, with every responding student saying they would take his class again. More important than the score were the words students used to describe him: enthusiastic, knowledgeable, passionate, caring, and animated. They could tell he wanted them to succeed. That is the mark of a real teacher, not someone who simply knows the material, but someone who still loves learning enough to pass that spark on to others. Bob’s curiosity also showed up in his writing. He wrote for academics, policymakers, and ordinary readers alike, in publications ranging from academic journals to Policy Options, The Conversation, and the Winnipeg Free Press. His subjects ranged from electric buses and carbon taxes to food security, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, energy, logistics, and Manitoba’s economic future. That breadth was very Bob. He wanted to understand things, explain them, and improve them. He believed knowledge had a public purpose. His background was impressive: a PhD, an MBA with distinction, engineering degrees, years of teaching, policy work, consulting, public presentations, and a long list of published articles and research. But Bob never struck me as someone interested in credentials for their own sake. He was interested in usefulness. What can we learn? What does the evidence show? What would actually work? How can this be explained in a way that helps people make better decisions? Bob also cared about community. He and Selma were recognized in 2014 as recipients of the Markmann Award at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre, an award honouring outstanding volunteer service and unselfish commitment of time, effort, and resources. That seems fitting. Bob was a contributor. He showed up. He gave his time. He cared about more than himself. And, of course, he was deeply proud of his daughters. That pride was obvious. For all his accomplishments as a teacher, writer, researcher, and public thinker, his family mattered most. He loved them, believed in them, and took real joy in who they were and what they were becoming. What I will remember most is the spirit of the man. Bob was interested. He was engaged. He liked to learn, liked to teach, liked to discuss, and liked to make things better. In his own teaching philosophy, he wrote about enthusiasm, communication, breadth of experience, real-world relevance, and preparing students for responsibility. That sounds exactly like Bob. He made a contribution to his students, to public debate, to his community, and most importantly to his family. My condolences go out to Selma, his daughters, and all those who loved him. Bob leaves behind not only memories but also the example of a life spent learning, teaching, thinking, and trying to make things better. May he rest in peace. Sincerely, Steven Fletcher. - Posted by: The Honourable Steven Fletcher (Family by marriage) on: May 12, 2026

• Bob was such a wonderful mentor. He was a former colleague and I had the privilege of working alongside him on several energy files, where his depth of knowledge and generosity of spirit truly stood out. Missed those coffee times. Conversations with him were always filled with wisdom and thoughtful perspectives. My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed. - Posted by: Teody Leano (Former colleague) on: Apr 24, 2026

• I enjoyed seeing Bob at family events in Alberta and Winnipeg, and chatting about all the latest energy efficiency news, and hearing about what Katie and Kari were up to. He will be missed. - Posted by: Julia Fletcher (Friend) on: Apr 10, 2026

• Bob was such a lovely man! I was so sad to hear about his passing. His daughter Katie and I have been friends since high school, and he was always fun and kind! My thoughts are with Selma, Katie, Kari, and his family. Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Megan Rea ((Katie's friend)) on: Apr 01, 2026

• Our condolences to Selma and family. Bob was a very good friend during our high school and U of C days. He lived a block up the street from me until I got married to Susan then he was probably the most frequent visitor to our apartment. One of my sisters eventually married Bob’s brother Tom so we would see Bob every once in a while and talk about old times. Susan and I missed him over the years and will continue to do so. - Posted by: Doug Barber (Friend) on: Mar 30, 2026

• My condolences to Selma and all the family. Bob was an absolutely wonderful person. - Posted by: Vaughan Bloomer (Friend) on: Mar 28, 2026

• Bob was a brilliant man with a whimsical sense of humour. I enjoyed working with Bob at Wardrop Engineering. I also had the pleasure of campaigning with Bob in the early days of the Reform Party. I will cherish the good memories of Bob. But, I guess we will never know who left the fish in the trunk of that Ford Tempo! Rest in Peace Bob. - Posted by: Ed Wolowich (Co-worker) on: Mar 28, 2026