Robert (Bob) B. Totten

Bob passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospice of London on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the age of 83. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Judith Soulliere and wonderful children: Heather (Adam), Jamie (Michelle), and Stephanie (Greg). Also survived by six beautiful grandchildren: Seth, Cameron, Everley, Aldyn, Kendra and Lily.  He was predeceased by his parents, Nita and Maynard Totten and his sister, Anita Hodgins.

Born in Windsor, Bob attended the University of Windsor where he earned a BA in Psychology. He moved to London in 1963 and worked in human resource areas of London Life, the London Free Press, Western University, PriceWaterhouse Associates and Right Management Consultants. In 1985 he opened Totten & Associates Inc., providing human resource consulting to a wide variety of clients.

Bob was active over the years in his profession as president of the Personnel Association of London and District, Chairman of the Council of Canadian Personnel Associations and served on several non-profit local boards of directors as personnel advisor. He also wrote newspaper columns on human resources and acted as editor and publisher of The Canadian Journal of Personnel & Industrial Relations.

He passed on his knowledge of human resources through his work as part-time instructor at Fanshawe College, adjunct professor in the Faculty of Dentistry and the School of Library and Information Science at Western University. He also assisted in editing a text book on profit sharing in Canada.

In his early years, Bob was active in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets where he earned his cadet wings and private pilot licence at age 18. He rose to the rank of Warrant Officer and represented Canada in an Air Cadet exchange tour of Great Britain and Ireland in 1959. While on tour, he earned his glider pilot certificate through the Royal Air Force. By the time he was 21, Bob was certified to fly three different types of aircrafts.

Over the years his many interests included painting, having shown his work in the Western Ontario Artist’s Exhibition on several occasions. Bob’s interest in computers was evident in his teaching of computer usage to seniors at several organizations in the community. His greatest love was developing outdoor home lighting shows at holiday times. He carried on this hobby for over 50 years and encouraged his children to do the same. An avid gardener, Bob could often be found planting and tending his outdoor gardens and developing new displays for his family and the neighbours to enjoy.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:00 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London.

If you wish to commemorate Bob’s life, please consider a donation to the University of Windsor Alumni Fund, Royal Canadian Air Cadets or St. Joseph’s Hospice of London.