THE PASSING OF CAPT. ROBERT H. MAHAR

Sad news today concerning the passing of a gallant soldier of The Royal Canadian Regiment. ZF657 Captain Robert H. "Bob" Mahar, veteran of the Second World War and the Korean War, passed away this morning, 29 September 2011, 0630 hrs, at Parkwood Hospital, London, Ontario. Captain Mahar had a very distinguished military career, serving in the Second World War, then with 1 RCR in Korea, 1952-53, and in Viet Nam as part of the ICSC from 1962-63. Bob Mahar was OC of "C" Company during I RCR's combat tour in Korea, April 1952 - March 1953. Capt Mahar is the father of Lieutenant-Colonel R.J. "Bob" Mahar, another distinguished officer of the Regiment. Officers and men of 1 RCR will want to take a look at the baby grand piano prominently displayed on the second floor in 1 RCR Lines. This piano was originally donated to the 1 RCR Officers Mess by Captain Mahar and Colonel Fred Vine.
As a High School student in the 1950s, and soon-to-be young Army recruit, Lieutenat-Colonel R.J. Mahar wrote in obvious pride of his father and his father's vocation:
"These have I loved: The effortless scrape of a fresh razor blade, A squared-off bunk that you've just made; A soldier's boots that shine like glass; His buckle and badge of gleaming brass; His sharply pressed pants, The acrid taste of a rifle when fired, Vehicles mesh, pant and groan, The whine of a ricochet; The feeling of pride in Dad's job well done. The excited wink from his admiring son."
(Quoted by G.R. Stevens on Page 315 of,"The Royal Canadian Regiment, Volume Two, 1933-1966")
This morning, the son of Capt Mahar, Lieutenant-Colonel Mahar, described his father as "his hero." When Captain R.H. Mahar retired from active service he presented his son, 2/Lt R.J. Mahar, with his own sword, on parade. LCol R.J. Mahar is the President of the Army Sniper Association (Ft. Benning, Georgia), and is currently in London. He will advise the Regiment when arrangements have been finalized. In the meantime he has stated that, tentatively, visitation will take place on Monday, 03 October, with funeral services to follow on Tuesday, 04 October.

R.I.P.