Rob Christie
Rob ChristieDG 2018-19
Born and raised on the West Coast, Rob attended the University of British Columbia and earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1967. Rob subsequently qualified to become a Registered Professional Forester and worked as such for his entire career. He has held a variety of senior management positions ranging from Chief Forester to Manager of Forest Resources for a number of privately owned companies in British Columbia. For a few years he worked as an international consultant and worked in such countries as Venezuela, Indonesia and Vietnam. In 1989 Rob was recognized by his professional organization as “Forester of the Year” for his contribution towards integrated forest management. Now retired, Rob has been awarded the distinction of being a Life Member of the profession.
Rob’s involvement with Rotary began more than a quarter of a century ago, when his son became a Rotary Exchange Student to Mexico. Upon his son’s return Rob’s family hosted Exchange Students from Mexico, Japan, Costa Rica and Australia. Rob was invited to become a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Whitehorse Midnight Sun in 2007. He served as Secretary for three years before becoming President in the year 2009 – 2010. Among other projects he worked on the District 5010 team hosting Group Study Exchange (GSE) participants from Estonia and S. Korea.
Moving to Pictou in 2011, Rob transferred his membership to the Rotary Club of Pictou where he has served on the Board for the past three years. Rob is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Bequest Society. At the District level, Rob served as Assistant Governor for Northern Nova Scotia and has recently volunteered to represent this area on the District Membership Committee.
Rob’s first wife, Sheila. whom he married in 1966 and gave him a son and a daughter, died of cancer in 2003. Rob is fortunate to have three very active grandsons. After retirement and a number of years travelling, Rob did volunteer work for the Anglican Church in Whitehorse, YK. It was here he met Irene Szabla. They married in September of 2011 and moved to Pictou where they reside in a provincially registered heritage home.