ROBERT JAMES LOWLES

May 12, 2024

Robert James Lowles of Kincardine died suddenly at his home, May 12, 2024. He was 61. He was a brilliant inventor, avid explorer, compassionate friend, and proud father. Anyone who hung around Rob knew that he lived and breathed creative inventions. He was passionate about technology, innovation, and design. More than a few of us probably owe the design of our mobile phones to him, thanks to his work at RIM/Blackberry. Even if you never used a Blackberry, you likely still felt the impact of his inventions. After his retirement, he continued to create and invent things. He would never settle for hiring a contractor: he designed his own garage, with automated winch systems to pull up his sailboat, and even refurbished old telephones. When he wasn’t working on some cool new project, he was exploring and travelling. Road trips were one of his favourites. Multiple times, our father took us on weeks-long road trips across the continental United States to visit National Parks. Without exaggeration, we can easily say that our trip to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Canyonlands offered us some of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring natural vistas we have ever experienced. He shared with us grandeur and beauty that can’t be captured in a photo or text. Rob would encourage you to head to Zion and climb to the peak of Angel’s Landing or go for a hike through the Narrows (it was one of his favourites). There are few places on earth that can match the natural beauty, and the memories will stick with you like they have for us. Our dad always shared that adventurous spirit with other family or friends. Often, he took people sailing on his boat across the waves of Lake Huron. Sometimes, for fun, he’d turn the boat into the wind so that the pontoon of the catamaran would rise from the water, tilting the whole boat at an angle and giving everyone a jolt of adrenaline as they learned to avoid it capsizing completely. He’d invite people to the beach for lounging around, or to share his ever-popular pizzas cooked in his pizza oven. He would volunteer at local festivals in Kincardine, or raise money for mental health as part of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. He always wanted to leave the world better than he found it. His impact on our lives was immense, and we will feel his presence throughout our days. He inspired both of us to pursue our best life paths, and was eager to pass on what he had learned. He always lit up when he saw us, and we cherished all the time we spent together. We loved him deeply. If you wish to remember him, we’d ask that you take a moment to watch the sun set on a beautiful day, enjoy a homemade pizza, or go on an adventure that you’ll remember fondly. Cherish the beauty in the natural world. Alternatively, if you would like to make a monetary donation, you can donate to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride for Mental Health and Prostate Cancer. A celebration of life will be organized and held in Kincardine at a later date. We will share details here. With more love than can be written, Robbie and Thomas. Portrait and memorial on-line at www.daveylinklaterfuneralhome.com.