ROBERT ALEXANDER KORLAK

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ROBERT ALEXANDER KORLAK With deep sorrow we mourn the passing of Robert Alexander Korlak (July 17, 1924 - April 6, 2006). Bob leaves his wife Mary of 55 years; children, Karen (René Foubert), Grace (Barry Wiliamson), Margaret, Heather (John Ehinger), Kelvin (Kim Border); grandchildren, Heather and Justin, Lauren, Emily and Andrew, Suzanne and Matthew, Sarah and Madeleine and Dustin. Bob grew up in Elma, one of nine children. As a hired hand at the Drew farm of Whitemouth, MB he met and married Mary Drew, his constant friend and life partner. His love of the land, the outdoors and nature was reflected in the way he operated his farm with respect and order. Spending winters in the bush, he harvested pulpwood and firewood. Back at the farm, in the shop, there was no piece of machinery that he couldn't fix, a result of his training at the John Deere Service School (Class of 1948 - 1949). As the head custodian of Whitemouth School (1980 - 1993) he touched the lives of many students, parents and staff as a friendly face and a knowledgeable employee. For years after his retirement, Bob fielded phone calls to help the school with repairs and problems that only he could solve. In the 1970s, Bob drove bus for Melnick Bus Lines, often chartering children on school, hockey and 4-H trips throughout the region. Bob was very inventive in his carpentry / machinery workshop. Some of his many projects included: designing and constructing sawmills, hay trailers, train station benches, children's play furniture, not to mention the cutting, milling and drying of the materials for his furniture and for the construction of the house and all the barns and sheds on his farm. A lover of music, Bob could often be seen and heard in the corner of the room, tuning and playing his guitar, mouth organ and fiddle...we can still hear Red River Valley when we see his guitar leaning against the wall. Bob was renowned in the region for the high quality hay produced at the Whitemouth farm. A product of many years of trial and error, he eventually perfected his variety of Timothy hay to the exact specifications needed for thoroughbred racehorses. He delivered this hay to Assiniboia Downs Race track in Winnipeg himself, often with one of his children along for the ride. Bob will be dearly missed as a supporter of his wife, children and grandchildren. He was always available to help with repairs and building around their houses and he valued education deeply, and encouraged his children and grandchildren to further their studies and meet their potential. Bob will be remembered by his family and the community as a story-teller who could entertain a room full of people, be it his own kitchen, or one of the many coffee shops he frequented in the Eastern region of Manitoba. The family would like to recognize Bruce Staerk for his kind support and care. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Nel and all the staff at the Pinawa Hospital for the compassionate care extended to Robert, allowing him to spend his final days in comfort and dignity, surrounded by love. Special thank you to the Pinawa and Whitemouth Ambulance crew for their professional care. Service will be held Tuesday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Ross United Church, Whitemouth. (Lunch to follow at the Whitemouth Community Centre). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pinawa Hospital Fund, Box 220, Pinawa, MB R0E 1L0.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2006