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Who is Robin Heppell?

A native Victorian with a four generation family legacy in the funeral profession, Robin M. Heppell is a licensed funeral director and an independent funeral consultant. Robin began his career at McCall Bros. Funeral Directors in 1986. He completed his education and became a funeral director and eventually the pre-arrangement consultant for McCall Bros. Robin started Heppell Funeral Planning Ltd. in 1998 and operates as an independent funeral consultant.

Heppell's Family Heritage

Robin Heppell's family background is comprised of individuals who have been active in many different areas of community service and who have displayed integrity and great care in their work. Robin’s maternal relations have been involved in the funeral profession since 1912 (Egan Funeral Home, Bolton ON) and he represents the family’s fourth generation in the business. His mother, Lois and grandmother, Frances Egan are both registered nurses who have practiced in Victoria and Ontario respectively.

After immigrating from England, Robin’s fraternal family settled in Victoria in 1929. His grandparents, Edward and Jane Heppell, had three children, Michael, Mary and Thomas. Michael was the general manager of the Victoria & Island Publicity Bureau (now Tourism Victoria). His son, Michael Jr. (Rob’s cousin) is the former Fire Chief of Victoria and also achieved the rank of Brigadier General in the Reserve Forces of Canada after commanding the Canadian Scottish Regiment of Victoria. Mary married Clarence F. Tayler and together successfully operated C. Tayler Home Appliance for many years. Robin’s father, Tom was a teacher in Greater Victoria for 25 years and retired in 1990. He served a term as President of the Alumni Assoc. of the University of Victoria.

Heppell's Immediate Family

Rob has two sisters, Janice and Patrice. Rob’s older sister, Janice Vogel worked throughout the Far East and now resides in Germany with her husband, Klaus, son, Lorenz, and daughter, Victoria. Rob’s younger sister, Patrice was a coordinator for the Vancouver Grizzlies / Ministry of Environment “Grizz Ed” program, which educates elementary school students throughout B.C. about grizzly bears and the environment. Patrice is married to Fred Patterson and have a son, Troy. Patrice is now a high school teacher for the Saanich School District.

Heppell's Personal Background

Rob grew up in Cadboro Bay and attended Frank Hobbs Elementary, Arbutus Junior High and graduated from Mt. Douglas Senior Secondary. He was active in sports, particularly hockey and rugby. After graduating, Rob spent the summer at his grandfather’s and uncle’s funeral home in Bolton, ON, where he was first introduced to the funeral profession. He returned to Victoria in the fall started working part-time for McCall Bros. in 1986. After eight months he started his apprenticeship. He became a licenced funeral director and embalmer in 1989. Rob became the pre-arrangement consultant for McCall’s in 1996. After obtaining his life insurance licence, he formed Heppell Funeral Planning Ltd. in 1998, which enabled him to better serve those wishing to fund their funeral services in advance. In 2004, Rob received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Royal Roads University. In the Spring of 2006, he was awarded the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (www.apfsp.com). Rob is the first recipient of this designation in Western Canada. Rob still represents McCall Bros. for their advance funeral planning in addition to Hayward’s, Thomson & Irving, and Sequoia Gardens Funeral & Memorial Services.