24 May 2023

Dave, my long-time dear friend, colleague and mentor, passed away early this morning at a hospice in Delta, BC. He was 88 years old.

Dave had been expecting death for quite some time. He'd been suffering a number of severe complications due to a spinal injury that confined him to a wheelchair and kept him practically bedridden for the past 7 years.

Dave and I met in 1979 as members of the Delta Police Department. I was a street cop, and he was a Forensic Identification Technician, commonly known as CSI. He became my boss and mentor in the late 90s when I joined his section.

Later, after I left the police department, he continued to mentor me helping me develop and improve my skills as an official embassy photographer in Montevideo, Uruguay. He always had my back. More than a friend, he was like a father to me. In 2014 when I returned to Canada he helped me find a job and get reestablished.

So long old bugger, see you on the other side. I'll be sure to bring you your favourite cup of coffee from Stir. Black, two sugars, right?
 

1978. Younger years back in New Zealand.

As well as a policeman, Dave was a professional photographer having received his formal training in 1961 at the New Scotland Yard in the UK. His passion for photography followed him to New Zealand where he also served as a police officer and took up portraiture as a relief from the pressure of the sordid nature of police work. After moving to Canada in the late 70s he joined the Delta Police Department as a Forensic Specialist. He later published his book "P.S. That's Me in the Middle" in which he assembled a brilliant collection of his favourite portraits of the very famous and the not-so-famous alike. His portraits share stunning artistry, capturing that "something special" about each subject that transforms a photograph into a piece of art. Subjects include Muhammad Ali, Count Basie, John Diefenbaker, Sir Edmund Hillary, Cleo Laine, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Dolly Parton, Joan Collins, Peter Ustinov, and dozens more. Each portrait is accompanied by a page of text.

2010. Self-portrait at his home in Ladner, B.C.		1980. A portrait of me by Dave Roberts.
Originally from Wales, Dave began his police career in the 60s as a young bobby in Bath, UK. He later transferred to New Zealand with his family where he continued to be a cop until he moved to Canada in the late 70s and joined the Delta Police Department.		As a young recruit in Delta, B.C
June 2014.		Jan 2012.
I shot this photo of Dave at his desk in his home in Ladner, B.C.		At Sharkey's Restaurant in Ladner, B.C. during one of my visits from Uruguay.
Oct 2014.		Jun 2013.
At our regular brew place: Stir Coffee House in Ladner, B.C. with our departed dear friend, Tom.		At Sharkey's Restaurant in Ladner, B.C, with close friends, during one of my visits from Uruguay.
Oct 2016.		Dec 2018.
I took this photo of Dave outside of the Tim Hortons in Tsawwassen, B.C.		Christmas at Stir Coffee House in Ladner, B.C.
Jun 2002.		Jan 2013.
At Dave's in Ladner, B.C. during one of my visits from Uruguay.		Dave with his wife Eileen, receiving the George Angus Award for outstanding services to the Delta Police Pipe Band.
Oct 2012. Jan 1991. Dave pouring the farewell toast at his retirement as the official photographer of the Delta Police Pipe Band. Dave volunteered for the job many, many years ago when he was still on active duty with the Department. As band photographer, he travelled several times to England, Scotland and many parts of Europe, as well as across Canada and the U.S. I'm proud to say I am one of the people he consulted with before deciding to retire for good. Dave presented me with a copy of his book upon my decision to start a new career.
Sep 2015.		Jan 2013.
Visiting Dave at G. F. Strong Centre in Vancouver, following hus spinal cord operation.		Dave with his wife Eileen, receiving the George Angus Award for outstanding services to the Delta Police Pipe Band.
Oct 2, 2021.
The last meeting of the four amigos. White Spot Restaurant, Tsawwassen, B.C.
Oct 5 2021. July 2 2025. Saying goodbye to my decades-long friend, former colleague, boss and mentor, Dave Roberts. Though we didn't say it, we knew this would be the last time we'd see each other. We met in the late 70s as cops, he became my boss when I joined his section, and later continued to mentor me from a distance long after I left the police dept, helping me develop and improve my skills as an official US embassy photographer overseas. So long old bugger, see you on the other side. Our mugshots from a 1983 Delta Police Dept staff photo board. On this day, I received this carving from the family of my late friend Dave. Before he passed away about two years ago, he left instructions to have it sent to me. Since it is a very fragile item, it took us a while to arrange shipping from Vancouver. The carving is done in yellow cedar by Coast Salish First Nation artist Jody Wilson. It represents a Killer Whale—or Black Fish—which in Coast Salish tradition symbolizes family, romance, longevity, harmony, travel, community, and protection. They are said to protect those who travel away from home and to lead them back when the time comes.