WO Robert Clute (Bob) joined the forces on 3 May 1986 as an infantry soldier. During his time with 1 RCR, Charles Company, London Ontario, he spent a lot of time away on various Field exercises that included trips to Denmark, Norway, and of course RV 87. After permanent hearing loss from firing the Karl Gustav in RV87, Bob remustered to 141 Topographical Surveyor Feb 1989. On completion of 141 trade qualification, he was posted to Topographic Sqn just in time to join Field Survey. As part of Field Survey Bob spent time on important survey tasks such as Op BOUGERS (above the 66^th parallel) 1991 and 1993, and Comox ILS Airfield Survey. At Mapping and Charting Establishment and the School of Military Mapping, he was a natural with survey because he enjoyed working outdoors.

On completion of his QL6A course, he was challenged once again to sit and work at his desk eight hours a day drawing maps with B8s which were large optical-mechanical mapping device used to trace contours, buildings, roads etc or with heads up digitizing computers. This was a hard time for Bob because he hated being cooped up and even worse; he had to record his time of work hour by hour for each day along with the rest of the technicians. Every time he was away from his machine, his supervisor required him to record it so Bob found a way to sleep at the machine without the supervisor being suspicious. In his heart, he believed that he wasn’t going to be happy so he started volunteering for activities, which took him away from the desk life.

From 1995 – 2004, Sgt Clute managed to escape the desk in Digital Production Squadron on many occasions by deploying on various missions. He deployed to the following theatre of operations, 1995 UNPROFOR in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1999/2000 KFOR, Donja Koretica, Kosovo, then to Zgon, Bosnia in 2003, and in 2004 a TAV to Camp Julien, Kabul, Afghanistan. His wealth of experience in terrain analysis, geographic information systems and mapping supplied the field commanders with the required answers at the right time. His willingness to get the job done and can do attitude in the workplace was an example that many soldiers came to admire. When he returned from tour, the CO MCE finally relented and posted Bob to Geo Sp Sqn where everyone knew he wanted to be. A happy Bob was a good Bob.

On promotion to his current rank in 2005, WO Clute assumed the tasks and duties of the Unit Training WO/Instructor in the School of Military Mapping. He loved to organize the unit ski day because we all think he secretly liked wearing tight ski pants and sitting in the lounge. All kidding aside, WO Clute was one of the main reasons the School of Military Mapping was able to change its location for the QL5A course. He was instrumental in readying Algonquin College for the new pilot QL5A course because he was able to bypass all the red tape that comes with putting a military class/lab into a civilian organization and as a result of his hard work, the class of 32 students started on time. He assumed the duties of the Course WO until he decided to pursue another career as a civilian. WO Clute will be missed as a Geo Tech especially for his impromptu demonstrations of martial arts, which usually involved some hurtful twisting of some limbs. Well, maybe not that missed.

Bob’s future plans include enjoying his life spending winters in Mexico and summers fishing with his father in Central Ontario.