RB (Dick) Cayave was born in Victoria, but spent his formative years in Chilliwack, Vancouver, Salmon Arm, and Whitehorse. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Commerce and Business Administration and joined the London Life Insurance Company in their Employee Benefits Division in 1959. His career with them took him to Montreal for two years, Winnipeg for seven years, and Regina for five years before transferring to Victoria in 1974 as Sales Manager for Vancouver Island. After 34 years with the Company, he retired in 1993.

Dick has lived with his wife Jeanne in Oak Bay since 1974 and their two daughters were raised and educated at Monterey, Oak Bay High, University of Victoria, and University of British Columbia.

He started his community involvement with the United Way in 1985 and since that time has also been involved as a volunteer with a number of other organizations, including the BC Summer Games, Victoria Gold Club, Ford World Curling Championship, Corporation of the District of Oak Bay, and Pacific Opera Victoria.