Retired Rear Admiral Robert “Bob” Yanow, who devoted his life to the Royal Canadian Navy and commanded Maritime Forces Pacific in Esquimalt from 1984 to 1987, has died at age 84.
He died Sunday in Victoria Hospice after a months-long illness arising from complications linked to cancer.
Rear Admiral Art McDonald, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, said the naval community has lost one of “its most distinguished and devoted leaders.”
“Fair winds and following seas dear shipmate,” wrote McDonald. “You will be sorely missed.”
Yanow’s career and life has been described as immersion and dedication to the Royal Canadian Navy and public service.
Navy life started with enrolment in Sea Cadets “Jervis Bay” in his hometown of Saskatoon. It ended with his retirement as a rear admiral and commander of Maritime Forces Pacific.
“He was the hardest working man I have ever known,” said retired Vice Admiral Chuck Thomas, who as a captain worked directly for Yanow in the mid to late 1970s.
“But at the same time he was a reasonable and supportive boss,” said Thomas.
Yanow began his officer’s career with an education at Royal Roads Military College in 1951 and a subsequent degree in math and physics from the University of Saskatoon. Following graduation he served aboard various destroyers and frigates on the east and west coasts of Canada. He spent two years on exchange with the British Royal Navy.
Yanow rose through the ranks quickly after his return to Canada. In 1969 he was appointed to command HMCS Saguenay, a St. Laurent Class destroyer. He survived the crash and sinking of the ship’s helicopter.
Then in quick succession, Yanow commanded HMCS Athabaskan in 1972, then a new Iroquois-class destroyer. From there it was on to command First Destroyer Squadron. When he was promoted to commodore he was made naval attaché in Washington, D.C. before returning to Ottawa to serve in several senior positions at the rank of rear admiral.
The conclusion of his naval career, 1984 to 1987, was in Esquimalt as commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Pacific region commander.
After leaving the navy, Yanow continued his tradition of public service with positions such as vice president with B.C. Transit, managing director for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, chairman of Centennial Stadium for the Games, and a member of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
He was president of Victoria Rotary, chairman of the B.C. Press Council, the Victoria branches of the Corps of Commissionaires, St. John Ambulance, and the annual God’s Acre Memorial Service at the military cemetery in Esquimalt.
Yanow is survived by wife Valda, son Robert and daughter-in-law Lynn, daughter Deborah and son-in-law retired Rear Admiral Nigel Greenwood, and granddaughters Jennifer and Sarah.
Nigel Greenwood said the family joke always held that Yanow personally selected Greenwood to marry his daughter. Not only did Greenwood work for Yanow as a junior officer and retire with the same rank. But he also finished his career the same way, as commander Maritime Forces Pacific.
For Greenwood, the standout element of Yanow’s character was always his attention to the welfare of the regular sailor. He never lost touch, compassion or respect for the most junior of ranks, Greenwood said.
As an example, Yanow was always a huge supporter of the Sea Cadets, now the Navy League Cadets Corp. A Parksville cadet unit bears his name, NLCC Admiral Yanow.
