Robert (Bob) George Frederick Hooper
September 17, 1946 to September 23, 2025
Obituary
In keeping with his gentle, unassuming nature Bob slipped quietly away with no fuss after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Bob was the much-loved husband and best friend of Fiona for 30 years. He was a loving and supportive father to his three children, George, David and Catherine, and to his grandson Fehrgus. Cherished by his siblings David, Grant (Coreen) and Mimi (Dick) and fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews, and mother of his sons Marlene. Bob leaves behind many wonderful friendships.
Bob grew up in various coastal and interior communities in British Columbia graduating in 1970 from the University of Victoria. With his Bachelor of Science degree in hand Bob travelled from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Coast, arriving in St. John’s in the fall of 1970 for what he thought would be a one-year contract with Memorial University’s Biology Department. Bob fell in love with the province, its coastal communities and marine environment, particularly the Bonne Bay area of the west coast. As he put it “I was glued to Newfoundland for the rest of my life”. After obtaining a PhD from the University of Portsmouth he became a faculty member in the biology department specializing in phycology (seaweeds), retiring in 2016 after 46 years. Along the way he was the driving force and first director of the Bonne Bay Marine Station (now the Bonne Bay Aquarium & Research Station) in Norris Point.
Bob loved to be on the water, but his number one joy was being under the waves SCUBA diving. Bob travelled the province extensively – there is hardly a cove or bay that he did not dive in. Most weekends involved diving excursions, with many a nervous student taking their first adventure below the waves under the calm and watchful eye of Dr. Hooper. Whether you were a beginner or a more seasoned diver, everyone was welcome, in all seasons and in all weathers (driving snow did not deter and diving under the ice was a special treat). Bob delighted in sharing his favourite locations and participating in the post-dive discussions (often over a beer or two).
Bob was passionate about teaching and was dedicated to his students. He was a firm believer in getting young people out of the classroom and into the field and was instrumental in establishing a marine biology summer field program at the Bonne Bay Marine Station. Bob’s legacy lies in the hundreds of students he taught through the years. Not only did they learn about marine ecology and conservation, but Bob, through his own hard work and enthusiasm, inspired students to be excited about learning and to follow their own interests. Many of his students have gone on to careers in marine sciences and remember fondly their time in Bonne Bay. His lasting friendships with former students are a testament to his mentorship.
Bob was an avid vegetable gardener and loved to cook. Many a student fondly remembers a large pot of homemade soup waiting on the stove to warm them after a cold dive or boat trip. Summer lobster suppers and “cow on a stick” beach fires were favourites. Who could forget his love of the epic grocery shop or Costco run. He delighted in treating his coworkers to an enormous box of Rogers’ Chocolates at Christmas, carefully choosing the assortment himself. Bob was an avid reader, particularly large historical tomes and biographies. You knew not to ask him a question on the subject at hand unless you had time for the answer. He could read for hours and routinely had multiple books on the go at one time. He enjoyed hiking and would occasionally annoy his wife when a brisk health-giving walk was abruptly interrupted by sitting on the ground eating fresh strawberries. He loved a good, well planned practical joke and when all the pieces fell into place he would quietly laugh with tears streaming down his face.
While advanced Parkinson’s Disease and other health woes took their toll on Bob, he battled the disease with quiet dignity and without complaint, always taking the time to thank those who helped him along the way. Our family would like to thank the staff and residents at Tiffany Village. Your wonderful care for Bob, and support given to Fiona, enabled us to spend quality time over the last year. The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of 4 West, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital for their compassion during the last three weeks of Bob’s life.
In keeping with Bob’s wishes cremation has taken place. A celebration of Bob’s life will take place in Norris Point, Bonne Bay next spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory can be made to The Bob Hooper Scholarship fund at Memorial University, by contacting gift_admin@mun.ca (or calling 1-709-864-2321) or to the Parkinsons Society Newfoundland and Labrador https://nlparkinson.ca/donate/, or to a charity of your choice.
Hello Fiona and Family,
I wish to express my utmost condolences and sympathy again in Bob’s passing.. Remembering the good old times as a coworker in the Biology Dept. at Mun. Bob always put a smile on us in his great lectures, conversations, jokes, and many food and drink events in his social gatherings. His delightful gestures of sharing the tasty Rogers chocolates annually will be missed. Bob’s unique live marine collections to the Biology courses brought knowledge and wonder to the people around us. This has inspired me to work in the department for many years with handling and care of the live marine life.. We will further remember Bob in the celebration of his life on May 30th at Norris point, Bonne Bay where he so love and enjoyed life there with Fiona and friends. …… RIP, Bill Gin
Bob took me diving on some amazing rhodolith beds when I visited Newfoundland for research and sightseeing around 2002 and he hosted me at the Bonne Bay Marine Station. Bob was very generous with his time and local expertise, especially about seaweeds.
I never had Dr Hooper as a professor, however, he accompanied a group of students to Halifax for a conference. The other students went off to visit friends and family in the area, but I didn’t know anyone and had never been to Halifax before. Dr Hooper very kindly spent some time with me in downtown Halifax. He was so kind. I was sorry to hear of his passing.
Fiona and family,
I only heard of Bob’s passing yesterday. Such sad news. Bob was a great teacher, mentor, story-teller and was an inspiration to many students over the decades. My last interaction with him would have been about fifteen years ago – we happened to be on a flight together from St. John’s to Deer Lake – the flight was delayed and we sat for hours chatting and catching up on old times. He was on his way to Bonne Bay of course – he was so proud of what the old Marine station had developed into. Hopefully MUN will see fit to bestow it with a fitting name in Bob’s memory!
Keeping you in our thoughts and sending sincere condolences.
Shirley and Terry
Fiona and family
I have many happy memories of working, on the wate, and at the station, followed in the evening by a big scoff. Bob surely found his happy place and devoted himself to it. He was a friend and an inspiration. My condolences to you all. brad
Dear Fiona and family,
We just learned of Bob’s death today. Please accept our condolences. I interacted with Bob quite frequently during days past, specifically in the 1980s and 1990s, while I was a student at MUN. I always found him very responsive and helpful, and I appreciated his enigmatic sense of humour. Rest in peace Bob.
John and Niki Christian
My sincere condolences on Bob’s passing. He was a good friend and played a great part in my graduate students’ studies. He spent a fair amount of time in the Humber Arm working on various projects. He willl be remembered for his commitment to his students particularly at the Bonne Bay field station.
May he Rest In Peace .
Rasul (Russ) Khan.
My sincere condolences, I was lucky enough to know Bob from a very young age as I stayed with my grandparents. Reuben and Ada Samms. I was always watching with wonder as all the diving gear was strung on the fence. I then went on to take classes from Bob at the station in a full circle moment. I thought he was such a wonderful man with so much knowledge .
Sending strength and happy memories of a great man.
Bob’s passion for his work and his love of Bonne Bay was infectious and certainly was passed to his students. Whenever I return to Newfoundland, I always try to visit Norris Point and remember my time spent there as a student. I send my condolences to Bob’s family and friends.
Fiona and family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on Bob.’s passing.
Bob was a friendly, generous, kind, gentle man who will be lovingly remembered by anyone fortunate enough to meet him. Those Roger’s chocolates were so appreciated by all of us on the receiving end and it was a special gift we looked forward to every year. His love for his work in Bonne Bay was very much part of him. I don’t think he thought of it as work as he expressed joy for it and his students.
Bob handled his illness like he did life: quietly and with dignity, strength and courage.
Fiona, your love, dedication, and devotion to him helped him spend his last couple of years as he wanted.
Once again, sincere sympathy.
Pat Garrett & Paul Hynes
I was so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. He was a “legend” among biology students spanning several decades. I have so many stories from days spent in the “original” Bonne Bay field station and from countless dives with him on the east and west coasts of our island. He inspired a love of marine biology and the underwater world in so many students.. He loved his time at the Station and on/under the water. How passion for the marine environment was palpable. He instilled this same love in many students- and his family- what a great legacy he leaves behind.. Rest easy Bob.
My sincerest condolences to Fiona and his children.
Kelly Moret
What a beautiful tribute! So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Sending my condolences to you Fiona and his entire family. I’ll always remember Bob for his Roger’s Christmas chocolates and of course his potent Christmas lab punch!! May he rest in peace. He will be truly missed.
Thank you Bob for being my teacher in Bonne Bay in 2003-2004, for the education, the laughs, for being one of the reasons I love the intertidal zone and for the anecdotes I still share years after those field courses. I have very good memories of being fitted with full body orange flotation suits and going boating. Rest in peace. My condoleances go out to Bob’s family and friends.
My sincere condolences to Fiona and family. In the short time I got to know you., it was obvious that Robert was a true gentleman and you were a devoted couple. It was inspiring to see how you accepted and managed the medical challenges you were presented with. God speed
Rest in peace Bob. You were one of the kindest persons I ever met while working at the University.
My condolences to your family.
Bernard Wm Doyle
Fiona and family – please accept my deepest condolences. It was my absolute pleasure to work with Bob for so many years at Bonne Bay and to see first hand how good he was at working with students – helping them to develop their skills and ‘learn now to learn’. Bob did so much for his students, for the university and for the province – all quietly and unassumingly. I will always treasure those days – from sleeping in the unheated loft over the aquarium shed to the opening of the Bonne Bay Marine Aquarium which he was instrumental in developing. Bob was one of the good ones.
I was saddened to hear of Bob’s passing.. Our offices were next to each other in the Biology Dept. and we shared many wonderful experiences and conversations. And, at Christmas, the delicious chocolates he returned with. What a legacy he has left in the Bonne Bay facility. So many students have been enriched by his care and knowledge.
My condolences to Fiona, Catherine and other family and friends.
Carolyn Emerson
So sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. While working with DFO in Corner Brook I had many conversations with Bob about the station in Bonne Bay and the work there. A true gentleman. My sincere condolences to family and friends.
So sad to hear. I was one of many who count my time in Bonne Bay as the highlight of my biology degree. (And my claustrophobia to sleeping in the top bunk at Reub’s house). Dr. Hooper was an exceptional teacher. Deepest condolences to all who miss him.
To Fiona and family our hearts go out for you. Deepest condolences from Jeannie and John.
Fiona and family, my sincerest condolences.. My thoughts are with you and I hope that happy memories help you through this difficult time..
Fiona and family, my deepest condolences on Bob’s passing. Have many fond memories of working with you and Bob at Bonne Bay Marine Center. HIs sense of humor and dedication to his work there was exceptional. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Fiona and Catherine,
We’re so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you and all of Bob’s family.
Carolyn Bartlett and Tom Leonard
Bob was one of the good guys. Many years ago I was doing my PhD research in Labrador and some of it involved scuba placement of instruments, along the coast, but we had no way to replenish our tanks. Bob graciously offered his facilities at no cost, any time. When I came back to Newfoundland a few years later I followed his work, even though our paths seldom crossed. All these years later, his kindness is still remembered.
Dr. George Rose
Bob, you believed in and inspired so many of us to explore the wonders of our beautiful ocean. Stephen and I always speak of how foundational your leadership of the Bonne Bay Marine Science Centre shaped the path of so many aspiring marine ecologists and how the stories and sense of humour you quietly shared brought a humanity into the heaviness of conservation science. Thank you for these gifts, they will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences to your family.
Dear Fiona and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Bob. He was one of my most inspiring professors fuelling my love for marine biology and diving. Bob believed in me, and that belief inspired me in so many ways. I fondly remember all my time with him at the Bonne Bay Field Station and many frigid MUCEP dives.
Fiona and family,
So sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. We have missed his walking through the neighborhood and wondered so many times how you are all doing.
We enjoyed many times together, be it in Bonnne Bay or just out for a drink ad the pub!
Hugs 🥰
Trish and Mike
Bob inspired so many, instilling a passion in his students for the marine environment, for pursuing careers in the marine field, and for the town of Norris Point and surrounding communities.
My two summers there spanned the old and new station. At Bonne Bay, I was a field course student, then an honors student and a TA. Bob, the station he envisioned & developed, things I learned and friends I made certainly played a large role in defining who I am today. I now live on the shores of Lake Erie and work in Fisheries but a piece of my heart will always be at the field station in Norris Point.
Thank you Bob – you were a real difference maker and inspired me to do the same with the students I work with every summer.
Heartfelt condolences to Fiona and family. Bob made such a lasting impression on my whole life through my time in Bonne Bay – foundational memories of passion for science, care for our oceans, learning how to be an responsible adult, and the value of sharing that passion and kinship with comrades – all while having fun doing it. He contributed to the person I am today – and encouraged me to follow my dreams and was always there for me in my corner. The waters around Bonne Bay will carry Bob’s legacy and always hold those special memories of Bob..
I was a student of Dr. Hooper in 1996, and many of my friends were his students for several years. I also worked in the Gros Morne area in 1998 and 1999 when I was doing my masters. Dr. Hooper was at the Bonne Bay field station and I saw him often during that time.
A great teacher and an even nicer person. Rest in peace Bob, I was privileged to cross paths with you.
I’m so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, Fiona. I didn’t know Bob personally but I remember you talking fondly of him and from his obituary I can tell that he was a very special person. I hope the wonderful memories of Bob bring you a small amount of comfort at this difficult time. My most sincere condolences to you and your Family.
Fiona and family, my deepest condolences on Bob’s passing. I have so many fond memories from my time as one of his early undergraduate thesis students at MUN Biology, as a research assistant at the old Bonne Bay Field Station, and while diving to collect specimens during many a student MUCEP position. He was a great inspiration and I learned as much from him under the water as I did in a research capacity. So saddened for your loss.
Sincerest condolences on the passing of a wonderful man. My time spent in Bonne Bay during my undergrad are some of my best memories. I hope that all of these wonderful memories will be a great comfort to his loved ones in the difficult days to come.
Chantel
Fiona, my condolences to you and the rest of the family. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.
Fiona, that was a wonderful obituary for Bob… he was very helpful to me whenever an aquatic question about Bonne Bay arose. The Friends of Bonne Bay (FOBB) truly appreciated his support for our mission to protect Bonne Bay. Sending you warm thoughts in your loss. Greg
Fiona, so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Sending condolences to you all. May your good memories help you through this very difficult time.
Thinking of all of you I’m sure you have many wonderful memories that will keep him close forever.
So sorry to hear of Dr Hoopers passing. He was instrumental in my love of biology and the ocean! My time as his student on Bonne Bay will forever be a wonderful memory I hold dear. My condolences to his family.
Bob was an extraordinary teacher and mentor whose kindness, wisdom and passion for marine science changed the course of my life. I was fortunate to spend two unforgettable summers with him in Bonne Bay (the last group of students at the old field station and the first at the new one). These experiences set me on a path to a lifelong career in marine sciences. Bob’s knowledge, guidance, humour and love of the ocean inspired everyone lucky enough to learn from him.
Fiona and family, please accept my heartfelt condolences. I hope you find comfort in knowing how profoundly he influenced the lives of so many students like me.
Sincerely,
Meghan Penney Mills
A truly remarkable legacy. I remember fondly having ‘cow on a stick’ in Bonne Bay many years ago and have served it myself at campfires since. Bob’s love of our natural environment was unbounded, and he passed that love on to so many we all can only hope to leave such a legacy. My condolences to Fiona and family and may the precious memories provide you comfort.
Fiona and all of Bob’s family, I am saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. He was such a lovely person, and I have very fond memories of him during my years at MUN. He introduced me to Roger’s chocolates, and his annual Christmas sharing of these goodies was something I really enjoyed. My sincere condolences to you all.
Fiona and Family, I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, he was instrumental in helping me formulate my career. He was a true mentor and a friend. I have many fond memories of my time working with him at Bonne Bay, and MUN Biology. He will be missed.