Wednesday, January 12, 2022

On December 9, 2021, former Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) CEO Bob Wallace passed away peacefully and on his own terms, surrounded by loved ones. He was 75.

Bob was born and raised in Saskatchewan and was always proud of his Saskatchewanian roots. He graduated from the University of Saskatoon, then moved on to work at Clarkson Gordon in Calgary in 1970. He spent time as a member of the business faculty with Mount Royal College before moving to Vancouver in 1977.

That year, Bob began a 16-year run as director of education and professional standards for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC. He earned his distinguished fellowship designation (FCPA) during this time. In 1995, he joined the REBGV as CEO.

Bob’s immense legacy within the REBGV and organized real estate in Canada cannot be overstated. His focus on business excellence and REALTOR® professionalism drove the development of several of our most well-regarded programs and initiatives, many of which went beyond REBGV and BC. Bob guided the growth of our REALTORS Care® program to be a national program, adopted by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and helped create the national MLS® Home Price Index.

Bob led collaborative efforts to pioneer a regional MLS® system with the Fraser Valley, Calgary, Edmonton, and Chilliwack real estate boards, regarded today as the model of cooperation for boards and associations across the country. He also spearheaded REBGV’s Excellence Program, which has seen the Board recognized by Excellence Canada for being a national leader in business excellence, innovation, and wellness.

In 2010, Bob was honoured with CREA's Association Executives Council Award of Excellence for professionalism, commitment, and leadership. He retired in 2013 to spend more time with his family.

Whether in a professional or a personal setting, Bob’s greatest joy in life was being a friend and mentor. He dutifully pursued his passions with a down-to-earth mentality and a warm sense of humour. He enjoyed being generous with his time and knowledge, especially when it meant helping someone out.

He’s predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Lillian Wallace; his wife, Judy; and his brothers, Donald and Ralph. He’ll be missed by his children, Terry (Jackie), Marc (Ingrid), Danielle (Brad), Kirsten (Erwan), and Rebekka (Marc-Andre); his grandchildren, Jaimee, Griffin, Ava, Ophelia, Blake, Greta, Oskar, Hugo, Felix, and Iris; and his many nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and business associates.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant House, one of Bob's favourite charities, or to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.