I was privileged to work with my friend and colleague, Robert Hand, for over 16 years, first when he was a student employee in the Bookstore, then full-time with Regent College Publishing where he shepherded scores of manuscripts to publication. When he and Michele left Vancouver he continued working with us as a freelance editor. I met Robert soon after his arrival in Vancouver and had the good fortune to hire him, quickly becoming aware of his multiple talents, always understated by himself, that were so appropriate for the world of bookselling and publishing. He took up publishing as a vocation in order to serve his Lord and stayed with this calling for the rest of his life. While at Regent he contributed to CRUX journal.  He sometimes led the Prayers of the People at St. John's Shaughnessy Anglican Church. He cared for those around him, had a warm and winsome smile, was always a gentleman and then became a scholar. He loved his wife Michele and was the very proud father of his daughters Genevieve and Emerson. 

After learning of Robert's passing I searched for some of his writings and found this newspaper op-ed on God's command in Jeremiah 29 to "Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City."

As a theology professor, I often encourage my students to pay close attention to the verbs in a given passage. And this one is not just full of verbs, but imperative verbs — in other words, calls to action! Build. Settle. Plant. Marry. Have children. Seek. Pray. What a great summary of a full and meaningful life.

There’s always lots that could be done in our area, but that also means there’s plenty of work to go around. Pick up trash that someone else left, for instance. Tip a little extra. Have face-to-face conversations. Support new business ventures. Give gifts. Build. Plant. Seek. Use your imagination. In other words, seek the good of the city. For all our talk about changing the world, fixing systems, rethinking this, and disrupting that, we’ve all got to start somewhere. I’ve chosen to work on doing exactly what this ancient passage suggests: taking care of my home, respecting the land we live on and what it yields, loving my family, actively working for peace and prosperity — in other words, I hope, seeking the good of this city I happen to find myself in. 

Robert, this is how I will remember you. My prayers will be with Michele, Genevieve, Emerson and the extended family. 

- Bill Reimer, retired manager, Regent Bookstore

I knew Robert as an avid reader, an aspiring academic, a devout Christian, and a valued colleague and friend.  Robert Hand was an entrepreneurial book lover from the day I met him.  Combining his graphic arts skills with his theological studies Robert entered the world of theological bookselling and publishing with delight.  I think he quickly felt quite at home in the world of theological publishing, stewarding the careful work of authors and bringing their books to birth in the marketplace of ideas.  I remember many conversations discussing theological traditions (he was always more charitable than I), existential questions, and sharing vocational aspirations and disappointments.  He was honest about how depression impacted his life, and the strategies (such as Crossfit) he found helpful in working through his mental health challenges.  It was a joy to see Robert’s vocational aspirations take shape in his PhD studies, followed by his own published books, and his growing teaching career.  He was remained committed to the local (Methodist) church ministry.  I sent him a note in 2023 commending a recent sermon (I had watched it online), and we had a phone call catching up on life, and talking about discipleship in the local church, and his growing ministry.  Central to his life was his joy in being a husband and father, and his devotion to Michele and his daughters.  We shared laughs around the full and hectic schedule demands of family life, and his pride in his daughter’s aptitudes and accomplishments.  Robert’s death is such a deeply tragic and painful loss for them, and for those of us who were blessed to be his friends.  May God’s gracious presence strengthen, comfort, and sustain them in their suffering and grief.

- Kim Boldt, longtime Regent Bookstore employee and former manager 

I remember Robert Hand well as an outstanding student at Regent College. Later Robert sought to do PhD studies with me at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. While he was accepted into the program, he was not able to get a scholarship so decided to do further studies elsewhere. We remained in touch. I was impressed by Robert's artistic skills in book design. He did a wonderful job on the covers of Finding Naasicaa, Life in Full Stride, Hear the Heartbeat with Henri Nouwen, and other titles. Very recently, he produced my latest poetry book, Whispers. I am deeply saddened to learn that this wonderfully creative person is no longer with us. May he rest in peace and may all who loved him find comfort in God's grace. 

- Charles Ringma, Professor Emeritus, Missions and Evangelism