Robert Clothier

Robert Clothier was born in Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1921 and attended St. Georges School in Vancouver. Following the war, Clothier studied architecture UBC and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. As well as having a successful television career in which he played more than fifty roles, Clothier was a highly accomplished stage actor. His photo is a still from “The Beachcombers”, which was arguably the most successful CBC Television drama of all time. It was the longest running series in Canadian television history, and ran from 1972 until 1991 and was translated into five other languages, and shown in 37 different countries. Filmed on location in Gibson, BC, the program starred Bruno Gerussi as Nick, Rae Brown as Molly and Robert Clothier as “Relic,” an unscrupulous adversary and rival beachcomber to “Nick.” It may surprise many to learn that during World War II, “Relic” was a bomber pilot with No. 408 Squadron RCAF. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on December 5, 1944, the citation read:
This officer has completed numerous sorties in the role of pilot, involving attacks on most of the enemy’s heavily defended targets. On all occasions he has pressed home his attacks with great determination and by his personal example of courage, coolness and confidence has set an example which has inspired all with whom he has flown.”

Following a flying accident in 1944 he was paralyzed from the waist down for two years. Yet he went on to an extremely successful career as an actor and sculptor and was described as a modern-day Renaissance man. Clothier was married to actor Shirley Broderick with whom he performed on several occasions. In 1996 he suffered a stroke and was in poor health until his death in February 10,1999 in North Vancouver, British Columbia.