OBITUARIES Robert McCombe managed Ketza River

Robert (Bob) McCombe, general manager of the Ketza River gold mine at Ross River in the Yukon, died in Peachland, B.C., May 1. He was 64. McCombe was born in Dorval, 0000,0600 Que. After serving overseas with the Canadian Army during World War II, he continued his education in Canada culminating with a degree in mine engineering at Queen’s University.

He served briefly as inspector of mines for New Brunswick and then became involved in exploration in Eastern Canada during the Newlund gold rush period. He was active in the development of the Blind River area during its early days and also worked for a time with his father, Robert McCombe, a geologist.

After a lengthy stint in Peru, Bob joined Sherritt Gordon Mines and was based at both the Lynn Lake and Lead Rapids camps. In 1985, he retired as mine manager, having served at the Farley, Fox and Ruttan Lake properties.

Then he joined the Canamax organization as project manager of the Ketza River mine and was general manager of that operation when he died.