A Rotary member for almost 45 years, Tsawwassen resident Bob Silvester recently joined Ladner Rotary from Rotary Club of Burnaby. In his "classification speech" to club members, so we could get to know him, Bob outlined a career in marketing for the printing business and then in the wine business.
Bob started life in Toronto in 1940 where he eventually started a career with NCR, marketing business forms. He spent three years in St. Catherines, Ontario, then moved to Edmonton with the company. There he met is wife, Christine, with whom he produced two children. While in Edmonton, Bob rose through the ranks of the Jaycees, eventually becoming an international "Senator".
In 1974, Bob and Christine moved to Vancouver, Christine transferring employment with CIBC. In 1976 he joined Rotary Club of Burnaby. Over the years he served two terms as President, and on the board in a variety of roles.
In 1985 he worked with others in Burnaby Rotary to launch a wine festival as a fund-raiser. He says he learned a lot from others about project management.
With printed business forms giving way to digital systems, Bob left NCR in 1992 and took up his interest in wine and a career in marketing. He started a wine distribution business. Eventually the provincial liquor laws changed to allow wine producers to sell directly to the marketplace, so Bob closed his business.
Bob is still keen on wine. Welcome, Bob.