A man who has truly helped shape Kelowna’s downtown core has passed away.

Robert Dow Reid, who created Kelowna’s iconic Spirit of Sail and Rhapsody sculptures, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, at the age of 91, his son Allan told KelownaNow.

Photo Credit: ContributedRobert Dow Reid

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved father, Robert Dow Reid. His artistic spirit and deep love for beauty touched the lives of so many,” the family said in a statement. 

“While we mourn his loss, we celebrate the extraordinary life he lived and the timeless work he leaves behind. He will be missed more than words can express.”

Reid was born in Scotland in 1933 to a family steeped in maritime tradition, which helped shape his artistic vision by the time he crossed the Atlantic and settled in Kelowna in 1964.

He created countless works over the decades, but some of his most notable works are prominent pieces of public art in Kelowna.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Contributed/KelownaNowSpirit of Sail/Rhapsody/West Wing

That includes Spirit of Sail, the 12-metre-high fibreglass sculpture unveiled in 1977 at the foot of Bernard Avenue that has since become arguably Kelowna’s most notable landmark.

In 1993, his creation Rhapsody, a joyful sculpture of frolicking dolphins, was installed at Rhapsody Plaza on Water Street near Tugboat Beach.

His sculpture West Wind, which depicts a group of soaring birds, has also been on display at Kelowna General Hospital since 2016 after being refurbished and donated by the Person family.

Reid may be most recognized for his iconic work in the Okanagan, but he’s also left his mark through major installations in Surrey, Regina and Kelowna’s sister city of Kasugai, Japan.

Of course, smaller sculptures formed by Reid’s hands can be found at galleries and private residences all over the world.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.