Obituary of Robert Morley Davis

 A Celebration of Life for Robert (Bob) Davis will be held on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m. (formal remarks beginning at 2:30 p.m.) in the Bob Davis Gymnasium, Brock University. The event will also be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/9lna_w6cpng?feature=share           

                                                                                                  Robert (Bob) Davis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) M. Davis on March 30, 2024, just shy of his 88th birthday. Beloved husband of Susie (Louise) for 66 years. Loving father of Jody (John) and Barb (Douglas), and cherished grandfather of Cameron (Siân), Hannah, and Zachary. Survived by his sister Noella (Dan), sister-in-law Mary and brother-in-law Erwin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Bob.

For more than half a century, Bob Davis has been a name intrinsically linked with Brock University athletics.Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, he earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the University of Oregon, teaching elementary, high school and college before being hired by the late Arnie Lowenberger as Assistant Professor in Brock’s budding Physical Education Department. Over three decades, Bob built one of the strongest varsity programs in the country, growing athletics from a handful of teams to 32 and spearheading the transformation of Brock’s moniker from the Generals to the Badgers in the early 1970’s.

Bob served many roles during his tenure before retiring in 2001, including Director of Athletics, Professor of Physical Education, Chair of the Department of Athletic Services in the School of Physical Education and Recreation, and Acting Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. He was the last President of the Ontario Universities Athletic Association and the first President of Ontario University Athletics. In 2002, Brock University officially renamed the former Gym One to the Bob Davis Gymnasium. Bob was inducted into the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, the Brock Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 as a builder and to the Niagara Golf Hall of Recognition in 2021.

In 2022, he received an honorary doctorate from Brock University in recognition of his many outstanding contributions.The family extends sincere thanks to the nurses at Niagara Health St. Catharines, most of whom were or are Brock University students, for their exceptional care. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life for Robert (Bob) Davis will be held on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m. (formal remarks beginning at 2:30 p.m.) in the Bob Davis Gymnasium, Brock University. The event will also be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/9lna_w6cpng?feature=share 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Brock University Bob Davis Award, a scholarship fund supporting top student athletes who excel academically and athletically (brocku.ca/donate).