Robert "Bob" E. Childs
May 25, 1936 – July 27, 2024
On Saturday, July 27th, with his hand held by his beloved Shirley, Bob completed his earthly journey. In his 88 years of life, Bob chose to be a seeker of truth, an advocate for justice, and to be faithful in his belief in a God that embraces everyone unconditionally. To know Bob was to experience a gentle man, a kind and compassionate man, one whose curiosity led him to be constantly reading and stretching his understandings of the world. He loved classical music and beautiful art and a wonderful joke. The twinkle in his eye and his head-tossed-back laugh is unforgettable.
The path of Bob’s life eventually led him from his birthplace in Littleton, Massachusetts to Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia at the age of 24. Upon completing his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Master of Theology, Bob shared in ministry with the churches of Canning, Summerville, Bramber, and Cambridge, Nova Scotia. His career path continued with a Chaplaincy Internship at Saint John Mental Health Hospital after which Bob joined Corrections Canada. He worked at Springhill Institution, supporting the Therapeutic Community Program, and later as Regional Chief of Staff Relations, Moncton, NB.
Bob’s passion for social justice was a constant in every aspect of his life. He became a member of St. Paul’s United Church, Riverview, and with his wife Shirley helped form the local organization of Ten Days for Global Justice, later known as KAIROS. He was a member of the Council of Canadians and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He served as the KAIROS representative on The Common Front for Social Justice (Moncton). Bob was an integral part of a local Spirituality Book Club and the Common Life group.
As a member of St. Paul’s United, Bob enjoyed leading many study groups over the years exploring topics of spirituality, theology, and faith. And it was his joy to be a long-time member of the church choir. To everything he turned, Bob brought his heart, his love for others, and his belief and trust in goodness.
Bob will be deeply missed by Shirley, his wife of 42 years and by his daughters, Debra DeGagné (Bernard), Tammy Arseneau (Kenneth), and Pamela Bryson (Stephen); sons, Mark (Nancy), and Alan; grandchildren, André DeGagné (Salvio Digesto), Jean-Luc DeGagné (Aimee), David DeGagné (Hilary), Benoit DeGagné (Vanessa), Bethany Arseneau Edwards (Jeremy), Chris Arseneau (Megan Smith), Julie Arseneau (Ian Crane), Caleigh Childs (Juhun Je), Jessica Childs (Jeff Swartzentruber), Sophee Childs, Sarah Bryson (Mike Gautreau), Shane Bryson, Jeff Bryson, Kevin Bryson, Chelsey Winters, Cody Childs; 21 great-grandchildren; and his first wife, Donna Childs.
Bob was also very close to Shirley’s family and will be missed by her son Mark Thorburn (Ann), and her daughter Lori Forbes (Trevor Steinburg); her grandchildren, Drew, Lauren, Taylor, and Courtney; and two great-grandchildren.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Edith Childs.
One of Bob’s favourite quotes comes from Viktor E. Frankl in Man’s Search for Meaning: "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way." To this Bob wrote, "I have not always been able to do this, but I remind myself of it and it brings me back to where I try all over again."
A Celebration of Life for Bob will be at St. Paul’s United Church, 404 Cleveland Ave, Riverview on August 17 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will take place later in Nova Scotia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's United Church (Riverview, NB), the Tatamagouche Centre (www.tatamagouchecentre.ca), Kairos Canada (www.kairoscanada.org), or to an organization of your choice.
For those unable to attend the service will be live-streamed.