ROBERT ALEXANDER (BOB) TEMPLETON

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ROBERT ALEXANDER (BOB) TEMPLETON Bob Templeton's family sadly announces his passing on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at the Circle Drive Special Care Home in Saskatoon, SK. Bob, aged 81, passed quietly after a valiant battle with lung cancer. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Martha Templeton in 1996. Bob's passing is mourned by his daughter Jean Whittaker (Steve) and three sons Blair (Padma), Derek (Beverly) and Bruce (Laura-Gail) Templeton; and eight grandchildren and his sister Jean Hamilton (Bill) and extended family. Bob Templeton was born on June 3, 1925 in Winnipeg, MB to Alexander and Clara Antoinette Templeton. In 1942, Bob became a third generation railroader, apprenticed as a Machinist at the CNR Fort Rouge shops. Bob joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943, training as a radar technician. He served honourably aboard HMS Belfast and HMCS Uganda, seeing action in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and Pacific theaters. Bob participated in the December, 1943 battle with KM Scharnhorst and the famed Murmansk convoys. Serving past VJ day in 1945, Bob returned to Winnipeg and the CNR. Bob met and married his life partner Martha Templeton (nee Wiwchar) in Hudson Bay, SK in 1954. They had four children and provided them with a rich and inspiring upbringing. In his sunset years, Bob was proud of the professional success of his children: a nurse, a surgeon and two engineers. In 1956 they moved to Winnipeg residing in a VA house on Greendell Avenue in St. Vital. In 1968 Bob and the family moved to Montreal, living on Fredmir Street in Pierrefonds. In 1979 Bob and Martha returned to Winnipeg, rebuilding their Greendell home. In 1988 they moved to Canora, SK, returning to Martha's Wiwchar family homestead farm. Since 1997 Bob has been residing in Saskatoon most recently at the Sierras of Erindale condominiums on Keevil Crescent. In his final months, Bob benefited from the loving care of the Circle Drive Special Care Home in Saskatoon. Bob remained with the CNR until his retirement in 1985. Bob participated in the exciting days of transition from Steam to Diesel and Diesel-Electric Locomotives on the Canadian railroads. He was successful in many areas of endeavour with the railroad, serving in the Shops, Mechanical, Motive Power and Headquarters assignments. Bob was Manager, Motive Power of the Pointe Ste Charles Works in Montreal during the 1970 and 1980s. Upon his retirement in 1985, Bob and Martha enjoyed world wide travel adventures and treasured visits to their dispersed children. Bob Templeton was a life long Mason, affiliated with the Kamsak Temple. Bob maintained his mechanical skills over the years, always able to get things working. His handmade furniture will be treasured by his children. Bob has requested a private cremation. Donations in lieu of flowers should be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society or Circle Drive Special Care Home in Saskatoon. His ashes will be interred beside Martha at their Home Church in Gorlitz, Saskatchewan. There will be a family celebration of Bob Templeton's life on June 3, 2007 at the church grounds. Email condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com . Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 11, 2006