The 2016 New Years Day yacht race on Lake Okareka was the first without Bob in nearly 40 years. Bob was a main stay of the race. Not only was he a keen competitor in Scimitar, his trusty gold Monarch 17, T 1398, known to so many, but he was a key organizer of the race over many years. Delaying his family holiday, Bob ensured that he was there to prepare for the race each New Year’s Day. Bob’s humour and enthusiasm was infectious and he and his crew (Scotty and son George) were always a force to be reckoned with.
Bob’s enjoyment of life never subsided even as his health challenged him. Bob was a part of the glue, the yarns and the conviviality that binds the Okareka community. This included Bob’s significant commitment and contribution to the yacht race. Bob will be greatly missed in this community and his memory will sail on. Bob’s old friend Scimitar, came in second in this year’s race. There was a van Boven at the helm – son George, with long time crew member Scotty, ably assisted by two of Bob’s grand children, Olivia and Blake.
The van Boven family have made a donation to the yacht race that Bob loved so much. Next year will see the presentation of a Memorial Cup that will keep Bob’s spirit ever present at the race. Our sympathy and our thanks to Nita and to Bob’s family for their gift. A card from Bob’s family reads:
Bob’s enjoyment of life never subsided even as his health challenged him. Bob was a part of the glue, the yarns and the conviviality that binds the Okareka community. This included Bob’s significant commitment and contribution to the yacht race. Bob will be greatly missed in this community and his memory will sail on. Bob’s old friend Scimitar, came in second in this year’s race. There was a van Boven at the helm – son George, with long time crew member Scotty, ably assisted by two of Bob’s grand children, Olivia and Blake.
The van Boven family have made a donation to the yacht race that Bob loved so much. Next year will see the presentation of a Memorial Cup that will keep Bob’s spirit ever present at the race. Our sympathy and our thanks to Nita and to Bob’s family for their gift. A card from Bob’s family reads:
