In the early 1990s, The Canadain Organization for Development through Education (CODE) owned several ventures that reflected both entrepreneurial boldness and a commitment to global literacy and development. These included Raptim Humanitarian Travel in Niagara-on-the-Lake (a franchise of a Dutch humanitarian travel company), Prube Incorporated (a Ghanaian import-export business—famously featured in the National Post for the coffins my father brought to Canada for a fundraising event), CODE Europe, CODE Japan, CODE Africa and CODE Comp, which focused on providing used computers for Africa. CODE shipped out paper for what they thought was a donation, but recieved a check in the mail after bidding on a UN contract. A profit making company was born., CODE Incorporated.
During this period, the CODE Board also helped establish the IBB International Book Bank in Baltimore, Maryland, whose opening was attended by Barbara Bush in support of global literacy.
My father’s leadership did not go unnoticed. In 1996, he personallly received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and CODE itself earned the UNESCO Literacy Prize (and many others). He was an early pioneer of self-publishing in local and Indigenous languages, working alongside Native communities to produce materials in their own languages long before this was common practice.
In 1992–93, USAID reached out to CODE Inc. for better pricing on indelible voter ink. The profit from that contract offset losses from the travel agency and enabled the organization to move to St. Laurent Boulevard (Maryline Cauvier, VP Finance, Gordon Sinclair, VP Marketing, Lilyan Fonseca VP Procurement, Kim Lim, Finance). Vik Vaid and Paul Swanson helped them secure key contacts in India and a fourth generation Pakisani supplier Shaw, President Global in Hong Kong.
After having served as the Executive Director of the Oversease Book Centre/CODE, the charity was left in the very capable hands of Yvonne Appiah, Pioneer of Project LOVE. Bob took on the full time role of CEO of CODE Inc. and two board of directors were formed. For many years Bob was asked to give speaches on the benefits of charities going into profit making and holding assets (such as CODE Inc and 321 Chapel Street, Ottawa).
Around the same time, CODE Inc. collaborated with Fred Randall, Canus Plastics in Ottawa to promote what they called the “Perfect Ballot Box.” Gordon had the innovative idea to repurpose the moulds used for municipal recycling boxes to produce ballot boxes in three sizes. They had the lids designed to accomodate long elections forms, patented the lids, and the project took off. Their competitive edge came from the ability to custom-build election supply boxes—using stickers, plastic seals, and novel security features—at a scale and price point larger firms couldn’t match. He even conducted demonstrations at the United Nations, showing how outdated metal ballot boxes and locks had become. This small company flourished in a competitive market precisely because it could innovate quickly and operate without the constraints of larger manufacturers. This led to many contracts but most notible are the Iraq and Afghanistan elections where Gordon's ballot boxes from Ottawa were a feature on 'the Daily show' as they were being trasported to polling stations via donkey. Donkeys transport ballot boxes for Afghan elections Video Reuters com
Before he retired my Dad set up the CODE Foundation with the profits of CODE INC. (in the millions) which enabled the Canadian charity to stay afloat when many have not.
A quote that has always reminded me of my father is:
“If you can have an amazing life, take others with you.”
My dad was originally an electrician and not bilingual—on paper, not the “perfect” candidate for the role he eventually took on. But Father Roméo Guilbault and Father Howie Gardner from his CUSO days advocated strongly for his hiring. Today we speak more openly about mental health and neurodivergence in the workplace; at the time, my dad simply knew he had a family, a mortgage, and no option but to work incredibly hard. More than anything, he longed to be accepted for who he was. His story shows that success takes courage, audacity, deep love, and a diverse village willing to believe.
I feel I should mention his self appointed nick name, The Bear. It stuck. Scary on the outside, but hiding the biggest softy on the inside.
Things people might know know about my Dad was that he excelled in the high school drama club, met my mother at the roller rink, he loved to cook, played guitar, would have been a caterer in another life, volunteered for the Ottawa Folk Festival and gave generously to the Blue Skys Music festival, loved stand up - especially Trevor Noah, loved Disney Land/World, opened for the Mamma's and the Papas at a coffee house, sang 'On Top of Spagetti', sang in store line ups, and was the biggest Leonard Cohen fan, I will think of more.
There are so many people that should be mentioned and thanked in this article, if I've missed you due to my menopausal brain damage you know who your are: Judy Boldt, Ian and Sheila Wright, Rick and Lynn Sala, Raoul and Sandi Korngold, Tim Willert, Lani Adler, David Manning and Jackie Siben-Manning, Jennifer Manning-Cameron, Elizabeth Manning,Yvonne Appiah, Ken Singh, Inder and Mohinder Handa, Cherry, Salim @ Handa Travel, Maya and Glen Walker, Trevor Walker, Brian McQuinn, Dave Farthing, May Wong, Rob Brunetti, Jonah Ackerman, Leanne & Gareth, Stephen Beckta, John Adefa, Vik Vaid, The Printing team that went to Chicago, Dichter der Nederlanden, Lisa Watson, Irene Mathias, Ernie and Nancy Dick, CODE staff, board members and their families, Peter Mantas, Dirk Bouwer, Victor Konrad, Peter and Linda Wall, Susan and Eric Friesen and family, CODE INC. staff , board members and their families, Davith Watkins, Clayton, Olga Palmer & the Mackenzie kids, Peter Mackenzie, Jason Sauve, Bay Woodyard, Marley McRae & Paul Preston, Dawna and Kris Paul, Scott Whittington, Tiarnach and Terrance Mooney, Roger Bilodeau, Raymond Genesse, Ian Smillie, Sharon Capling-Alakija, Dr. Shirley L. Thompson and Roy Cayetano. All families and friends who gave years of their lives and themselves. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.
As his daughter—someone who first walked into 321 Chapel at six years old—I remain deeply grateful to the people who believed in CODE’s vision and who took a chance on my dad. He loved the people he worked with, wholeheartedly and without reservation. I hope his legacy reminds others that remarkable things happen when people lift each other up.
Robert Dyck (1946-2025)
1977, 1978 Intergovernment relations, Fundraising for Non-profit organizations, Inter-organizational Relationships, 1979; French language course, Algonquin College, Philanthropy in the 80's, Communication and Management Seminar, 1980. Foreman and Estimator, Smith Electric, Vineland, Ontario, 1965-1970; Lecturer, Government of Barbados, Barbados, 1970-72; Director of Recruitment, CUSO, Ottawa, 1972-74; Director of Human Resources, CUSO, Ottawa, 1972-77; National Director Overseas Book Centre, Ottawa 1977-2007 (30 years, 2nd longest serving Ex of an NGO of which he was very proud), Executive Director of the Canadian Organization for Development of Education, CEO, CODE Incorporated - 2007. Member: IAE,, Insitue of Associations Executives; IBEW, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; CCIC, Canadian Council for International Co-operation, Author of Canadian Technical Qualifications Manual, 1973. Established Electrical Apprenticeship Prorogram for the Government of Barbados; reorganized Overseas Book Centre from book-sending operation to Literacy Assistance program; organized North-South Round Table, Ottawa, November 1980. President, Ottawa-Carleton Liberal Association; Director: Carleton East Liberal Association; Director: Carleton East Liberal Association; Ottawa and District Liberal Association; Ontario Liberal Association. Awaarded formal recognition from the Government of Barbados for work done in technical training. Parents: Anna Dyck (Virgil, ON) / John Roberts (Fort Mill, SC). Two half-brothers (Gerald Roberts Sr., Fort Mill, SC), (Doug Roberts, wife Prissy, Rock Hill, SC). Married Eleanor Beverly Huebner, daughter of Abraham and Katerina Huebner, September 30, 1967 has one daughter (Christine Anne) and one son (Robert Jonathan). Married Lilyan Fonseca (2001) has three step sons (Bill), (Scott), (Mark).
