Obituary of Robert William Knowlden

After a long full life, Bob peacefully passed away at home early Friday morning, February 3rd, 2023 at the age of 93.

 

Bob was born in Lethbridge, Alberta on November 6, 1929. He met his soulmate Helen while delivering papers to her sister’s front door. When he finally got the courage to ask her out, he picked her up on his bicycle and off they went, Helen balancing on the handlebars. They did not look back for 78 adventurous years.

 

Bob loved the outdoors and in the early days living in Calgary, Alberta you could always find the family on camping trips to Jumpingpound Creek and further into the Rocky Mountains. Bob transferred to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with his career company Robin Hood Flour Mills, in the late 1960s. While out exploring their new province, they ventured up north and discovered Nemeiben Lake, a jewel in northern Saskatchewan. They obtained a lakeside property that could only be accessed by boat, and with only chain saw and hand tools, Bob and Helen built a cozy log cabin in the woods, where they shared their love of Nature with their children and grandchildren.

 

After Bob retired, they packed up and headed to Vancouver Island where they built another beautiful home together at Mill Bay and enjoyed acreage living for 15 years. But the lure of being near water once again pulled them north and they ended up at beautiful Port Alice, on the shoreline of an ocean inlet. In Bob’s late 80s they made one last move to Fairmont Hot Springs so they could sit on their porch and enjoy the view of the western slopes of the Rockies, with all the family nearby. 

 

Bob’s priority was his family. He was humble, loyal, genuine, and multi-talented. His magical hands could build or fix absolutely anything, create beautiful pieces of art from wood and leather, catch fish by the fry-pan full, and then toss it in flour and cook it like no one else could! Not to mention his famous scrambled eggs! He was a kind and patient father. His patience was obvious as he sat through years of violin lessons listening to his bookish son Bruce squeaking away. He was a self-taught teacher and generous with his time for anyone that asked. He was a loyal friend to many over his lifetime.

 

Bob was deeply loved by his family and will be sincerely missed every day.

 

GG, as he was lovingly known to his grandkids and great grandkids, is survived by his wife and soulmate Helen (née Mereski); children Bruce (Suzanne), Bob (Valerie), Lori (Graeme II), Lynn (Dale); grandchildren Guillaume (Cassandra), Jesse (Carys), Julia (Alex), Graeme III (Karen), Meghann (Tony), Chloe (Jesse) and Jasmine (Jason); great grandchildren Graeme IV, McKinley and Riley; sisters Beverley Gray and Bonnie Babki; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

 

His wishes were that no formal funeral or memorial service be held. His family will gather around the campfire to roast wieners and tell tales in his memory.

 

Bob would want you to remember him by taking time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, which is everywhere in Nature.

 

“Do what you can, with what you have, with where you are.”