Ian Bates Memorial | Forever In Our Hearts

Obituary
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Obituary

After a long and fulfilling life, our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep. Ian lived life to the fullest, with a distinguished and far-reaching career as a leader in his field of Electrical Engineering with the SECV, and as a respected Professor at RMIT. He was a Christian man with a remarkable generosity of spirit, a love of education, and he took immense pride and joy in the achievements of his much-loved children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his wife Carol, daughters Catherine, Elissa, Michele and Helena, and his cherished grandchildren Corey, Kahlia, Jackson, Sam, Jessica, Charlie and Lucas.

Ian's family created this memorial page to celebrate Ian’s life and build a lasting online legacy in his memory.

You are warmly invited as family, friends, colleagues, students and community members from Australia and internationally to share stories, memories and photos. Every contribution helps tell the story of Ian’s life.

Gallery

Memories

Tributes

I have 2 special memories of pa. One from a very long time ago when i was only about 6 years old. Pa took the cousins out to Kalinda oval to teach us how to kick a footy. But instead of teaching us, he mainly just used us as specky bags to show us he still had it, even at 70! and that he proved, taking one of the best marks i’ve seen to this day over my dad.

The other memory is from just last year at Pa’s birthday, where me and liv were telling mama and pa all about the travels we had just done throughout Europe. Every now and then Pa would add in a story back from when he went to Europe. He seemed to find it especially funny how their power lines had been set up. I couldn’t say i took much notice to this while i was there, but watching him and mama laugh together and share stories will be a memory that sticks with me forever.
also Cath managed to get a photo of this exact moment s

Ian Bates Tribute 1 Image by Sam Pachacz

This photo is so so special to me. It is the last time I spent with my dear dad on Sunday 3rd May 2026 at Warrandtye Gardens Care Community in North Ringwood. Doesn't he look amazing at 85!!
He was so happy and relaxed that day and we know that this feeling of peace continued for him into the week leading up to 8th May - a true blessing to us given the huge shock and sadness we all feel xxxx

Ian Bates Tribute 2 Image by Catherine Bates

One memory of Pa that I hold especially close is the last time he visited, when he brought me my Melbourne Cup sweep winnings - a tradition he kept alive for our family year after year. I didn’t know then it would be the last time I saw him, but I’m so grateful for that moment. It’s one I will always cherish.

RIP Ian (aka Pa) – always friendly, generous, and standing tall at the heart of the proud Bates clan, with Carol by his side. Thanks for our many footy chats, your love and acceptance of Zoe and I into the family, and for allowing me to 'marry into' Box Hill Hawks royalty - what a bonus! You will be missed 💛🤎🖤🤍

One of my recent favourite memories with Ian (my dad) was playing "Minute to Win it" quiz game being run by the wellbeing staff at his residential care home, Warrandyte Gardens. My dad Ian, my son Lucas and I were playing the game with a group of other residents. Everyone was asked to think of all the things they could, in certain categories. As many of the residents had been diagnosed with Dementia (as dad was in January 2026) I was impressed to note that this was a clever way to support cognitive skills, disguised as a game. Participants had to get as many answers as they could within a time limit, for categories of things such as:
(1) "Types of flowers" (his answer: Dahlias of course! (like the ones he grew in his garden shown on the banner at the top of this page);
(2) Car makes / models (his answer: Ford Fairlane 500, V8 - our family car in the 1980's, of course!) and
(3) "Bod

Ian Bates Tribute 5 Image by Michele J Brooks

My incredible parents and the enduring love for each other. Here is dad on his 85th birthday in 2025.

Ian Bates Tribute 6 Image by Catherine Bates

Chatting over lunch on the first day arriving at Warrandyte Gardens. Engaged and full of opinions right til the end was our dear Pa

Ian Bates Tribute 7 Image by Elissa Bates

Dad and me at a Pies footy game! AFL: Pies | VFL: Hawks xx

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