Norman Robinson

Norman Robinson

Norm was born in Rossland, BC, and spent his early years growing up in Trail. As a teenager he moved to Vancouver, where he attended King George High School. He attended UBC, where he earned his B.A., and then went to the Provincial Normal School to obtain his teaching credential. He spent 14 years in the public school system serving as a teacher and school principal in Trail, Langley, Qualicum Beach, and South Cariboo. In 1964, he completed his Master of Education from the University of Alberta. Following this, he was awarded a Kellogg Foundation scholarship and a BC Teachers’ Federation Scholarship to pursue advanced studies in educational administration at the University of Alberta, from which he obtained his Ph.D. in 1966.

Norm took a professorship at Simon Fraser University, where he worked until his retirement in 1993. He was a gifted teacher, as acknowledged when he received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Simon Fraser. In addition to his teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities, Norm did extensive consulting and commission-of-inquiry work. He worked for the Ministry of Education, the BC School Trustees Association, the BC Teachers’ Federation, and numerous school districts in the province. He also served as a consultant nationally and internationally, working for the province of Ontario and the Ministry of Education in China. Norm served as a Visiting Professor at UBC, the University of Alberta, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, McGill University, Shanghai Teachers’ University, Shanghai Institute of Education, and was Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute of Educational Administration in Melbourne, Australia.

It was while Norm was conducting an inquiry into the Vancouver school system that he met the love of his life, Monica Brekelmans, with whom he shared a long and happy relationship. From two previous marriages (Elaine and Ginny), Norm had six children whom he loved very much and of whom he was extremely proud: Margaret (Steve), Norma (Dean), Marilyn (David), Don (Kim), Scott (Mary), and Brent (Sarah). He particularly enjoyed taking each child on a trip of their choosing and getting to know them individually. These trips took them to such diverse places as the United Kingdom, the Southwest US, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Australia, the Baltic states, and Russia.

Norm had a strong sense of service to his profession and the community. He held various positions in the BC Teachers’ Federation. He also served as an elected trustee on the Vancouver School Board and served on the board of directors for the Memorial Society of BC.

Norm loved the outdoors and sports, particularly his beloved New York Rangers. Well into his eighties, Norm and Monica would camp in their tent, sleeping on the ground. Throughout his life, he enjoyed hiking, fishing, running, skiing, curling, tennis, and golf. Norm was also very fond of the arts: the graphic arts, music, opera, ballet, and especially theatre. As a younger man, he was an accomplished actor in little theatre.

In addition to Monica and his six children, Norm is survived by 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and friends. He is also fondly remembered by Monica’s children Susan (Jeff) and Steven (Kim), and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, Sarah and James Linton Robinson, and six siblings: Don, Dorothy, Ernie, Elsie, Irvin, and Lois.

The family expresses deep gratitude to everyone at South Granville Park Lodge for their care and kindness to Norm in the past four years.

A celebration of life will be held at 5 pm on October 17 at The Arbutus Club. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Plan International Canada: Because I Am a Girl, an organization focused on improving educational opportunities for girls in developing countries.