Vale Rev Robert Bos.

We are very saddened by the news that our friend Rob has passed away in Melbourne following a courageous battle with cancer. Our deepest love and sympathy to Ainslie and their families.

Rob was a gentle man who had a profound affect on so many lives – whether in his ministry to congregations, writing resources and Christian education materials or in his work in communities – Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, India, Kurdistan and many other places.

I remember using one of Rob & Ainslie’s resource booklets in our home group in Brisbane in 2015. The following year they moved to West End and we met at the Uniting Church and had a brief period of connection and friendship before Kim and I moved to Newcastle.

Both Rob and Ainslie followed and support the projects of Operation Hope from the beginning in 2016. They journeyed with us as team members to Kurdistan, Northern Iraq in May 2017.

Not even the harsh heat of that summer deterred Rob from picking up a paint brush to finish painting the interior of the new emergency field hospital in a refugee camp 20kms from Mosul. Rob joined a group of American volunteers on a weekend visit to the ancient Chaldean village of Alqosh and heard of the work occurring at the New Hope Trauma Centre assisting refugees from the nearby camps.

He diligently wrote up an extensive report of our trip to Kurdistan that has meant we have maintained links with the New Hope Trauma Centre and their leaders.

A life well lived. Rest in Peace my friend.

Comments from fellow team member Leanne Rogers:

This is sad news Erica. The world has lost a brilliant man and heaven has gained a saint. I remember so fondly the wisdom of both Rob and Ainslie as we gathered together on the roof of our house in Iraq each evening, and shared stories from the Bible. These are times I cherish and will never forget. Condolences to Ainslie and the family. He will be missed greatly.