Former High Commissioner to Canada and longtime history teacher at Queen’s College and the University of Guyana, Robert James Moore died on Monday in Ottawa where he lived. He was 83.
His daughter Fauzya Moore confirmed his death to Stabroek News and informed that according to his wishes he was cremated. A memorial will be held on the 21st of this month in Canada for him.
She lamented on how much his passing hurts but reflected on a life full of joy. “He was an avid reader and loved to listen to music. And we miss him so much that it hurts. I will remember him as a beloved father with a great sense of humour and mischief, a kindly and generous man and a wonderful mentor and storyteller,” she said.
“His mentor Archbishop Allan John Knight introduced Bobby to theology and the diversity and compatibility of the world’s great religions; while his guardian Irene Shanks introduced him to classical music and the richness of Guyanese creole culture. These would be lifelong passions. He had a wonderful love of nature and the rivers and rainforests of Guyana and Canada inspired his incredible creative spirit and his awe,” she also added.
Historian and Professor at the University of Guyana, Winston Mc Gowan, who Moore taught at Queen’s College, and who he later worked with when Moore headed the History Department at UG, yesterday reflected on his life. “He brought fun to the subject Caribbean History, it was no longer a boring subject he made it an exciting option and inspired historians such as myself and Dr Walter Rodney,” Mc Gowan explained.
Moore studied History at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and later returned to Guyana where he taught at Queen’s College.
He left teaching to complete his Master’s at Cambridge University and then his PhD at the University of Sussex but returned on completion and was head of the History Department at the University of Guyana. “He was very popular among the teachers and students. He encouraged students to get involved in various activities and so forth. I remember it was him who started debating at QC he always wanted involvement,” Mc Gowan said.
After teaching at UG for some years Moore left Guyana for Ottawa, Canada where he was appointed High Commissioner to that country under the Forbes Burnham government. When that assignment ended he continued to live in Canada.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, three children Fauzya, Lilah and Rayad, and stepchildren Martin, Katarzyna, Denise, Stephen and James.
