March 10, 1953 - June 11, 2020
Bob was born in Drumheller Alberta, the eldest of 7 siblings born to Rose and Bill. He leaves behind his loving wife of 40 years Char, brother Bill (Barb), sisters Kathy and Susie (Vern), brothers Pat (Georgi) and Steven (Tamara), and sister Linda (Darcy), his beloved children Bob (Laura), Brett (Jonathan), and Catey (Jeff), his grandchildren Emma, Violet, Bobby, Walter, Damien, Hawk, and Tiger.
Bob worked on the railroad in his youth, and in oilfields all over the world, where his reputation for excellence in all that he did was renowned in his roles as driller, tool push, and consultant. He was a mentor to so many young men who greatly admired and respected him. For a time Bob chose to work closer to home in Summerland, where he owned and operated a water well drilling rig, a horse logging business with his trusty Belgium steeds Rose and Lily, and in the Summerland packing house as a mechanic. Bob enjoyed giving sleigh rides in winter, coaching baseball, and working on his 10 acre hobby farm in Prairie Valley, raising his prized black angus cattle and making hay, visiting with friends over coffee at the Country Cafe, drinking Old Milwakee and smoking Players. He was a deeply loyal friend to many, generous hearted and kind, and his family meant the world to Bob. He liked sitting in his truck listening to music (Johnny Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson, Dwight Yoakim, and Willie), as he looked out over the land. Bob was a man of true grit, a force to be reckoned with, a strong spirit, tough as nails...and he was loved.