ROBERT (BOB) CARL KOWALSKI

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ROBERT (BOB) CARL KOWALSKI With sadness we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Carl Kowalski at St. Boniface Hospital, on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 69 years of age. Bob was predeceased by his parents, William and Anne, and his brother, Albert. He is survived by his nieces Lynne Scott and Sharon Leggatt, and his nephew Richard Kowalski. Born in Winnipeg, on September 23, 1938, Bob grew up surrounded by the arts. His father played violin, and his mother painted. It is no wonder that he developed an abiding love for music and art. As a young man Bob created costumes and sets for Rainbow Stage, working on productions of Oklahoma!, The Student Prince, and The Music Man. In 1963 Bob left Winnipeg for Toronto, where he entered the University of Toronto, and pursued a career in the arts. He is still remembered in Toronto theatre circles for the amazing sets he created for Theatre in the Dell. Those lucky enough to possess the artworks Bob created during his Toronto years treasure them to this day. Returning to Winnipeg in 1973, Bob entered the University of Manitoba and completed a B.A. in Psychology, and another in Social Work. He worked with intellectually and emotionally challenged children, in a variety of clinical settings, and eventually his home, where he served as proctor for a number of very challenging young men. Bob continued this work until illness forced him to take a disability pension in the late 1980s. Declining health made the last part of Bob's life difficult. Music helped to uplift him, and friends kept him as active as was possible, until he was forced to enter the hospital. During his last illness, Bob's close friend Roger Lovett was a constant source of comfort. Cremation has taken place. A service celebrating Bob's life will be held Monday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 1531 Pembina Hwy.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2008