NANAIMO — A longtime City of Nanaimo public servant described as selfless, charismatic and impactful was remembered at a Friday evening ceremony.
About 130 people gathered at Woodstream Park in Departure Bay on Friday, June 10, one of many parks Rob Lawrance played a significant role in restoring.
Lawrance died at the age of 58 after suffering a medical emergency east of Bellingham, WA while cycling in a multi-sport relay race on May 29.
He retired last September after 20 years with the City of Nanaimo, mostly spent as environmental planner.
Amir Freund, a transportation planner with the City and close friend, told NanaimoNewsNOW he’s struggling to come to terms with the news, particularly since Lawrance was in good health.
Freund competed with Lawrance in the recent Ski to Sea event, which they had done several times previously.
“We had big plans…we were going to do a tour in Europe — that’s not going to happen, maybe I’ll do it for him,” Freund said choking back tears.
Freund was hired by the City in 2011 and the two struck an immediate friendship.
He said Lawrance was well known as passionate, caring, humble and a man of action when it came to environmental stewardship.
“He was holding the environmental flag of the city all on his shoulders for so many years. You needed something that related to the environment you talk to Rob, that’s the guy.”
Freund said Lawrance’s death is particularly tragic because he had recently embarked on a new chapter by moving to Blaine, WA to be with his wife.
Lawrance clearly expressed his happiness and optimism about the future, Freund said.
Deb Beck and Amir Freund pose with the sequoia tree planted in Rob Lawrance’s honour. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)City recreation coordinator Deb Beck worked with Lawrance for a decade, which included projects with community groups on environmental restoration projects.
She said her heart sank when she heard what happened.
“To hear this news is just absolutely shocking and devastating for all of those who knew him and loved him,” an emotional Beck said.
On top of his day job, Beck said Lawrance often used free time enhancing salmon bearing streams throughout Nanaimo and removing invasive plants from environmentally sensitive areas.
“He wasn’t just in the office to put the plan together he was there in person, boots on the ground in the rain, the mud, whatever it took to see things happen.”
Lawrance always had his rubber boots, rain jacket and a tree planting shovel in his car, Beck said.
“He loved to plant trees, that was among his favorite things to do.”
Beck said he had a gift for bringing a wide range of people together, from volunteers to professionals, to identify plans, executive and deliver results.
“He was a big listener, he was able to take in information and understand the best way of working with the group and moving them forward,” Beck said.
About 120 people converged on Woodstream Park for Rob Lawrance’s Celebration of Life. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)Beck said protecting riparian setbacks, creating an invasive species management plan and formulating green building provisions are just a few of the key City policies Lawrance sprung into action.
While Lawrance was kind and gentle professionally, Beck chuckled recalling how fiercely competitive he was playing sports such as volleyball in a work lunch league.
The Celebration of Life was held at one of Lawrance’s favourite parks. A sequoia tree, his favourite, was planted there following the event.
A bench in his honour is planned for nearby Departure Bay spray park.
Lawrance’s aunt, Dawn Groves, told the crowd filled with City employees, members of council, friends and family and environmental stewards that she will miss how Rob made people feel.
“I always felt like I must be really great because this incredibly charismatic and lovely man who’s also humble thinks I’m wonderful,” Groves said.
Lawrance leaves behind a daughter, who welled up in tears addressing the crowd while outfitted in one of her father’s jackets
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