BOB MACKENZIE

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BOB MACKENZIE Robert Cameron entered this world February 24, 1926 and left it August 11, 2010. First born son of Olga (Lalier) and Robert J Mac MacKenzie of Franklin, MB. The family moved to Roblin for one year, then settled in Gladstone. Bob finished high school and went out west to work on the Skeena river highway. He also had other jobs including mining at Brittania Beach and in Sudbury. He attended U of M Engineering school for a couple of years, but decided it wasn't for him. His work with PFRA brought him to the Dauphin area. Bob began working with the Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Branch in 1950 and would continue there until early retirement in 1987. For 37 years he spent time in his two favourite places: the Duck and Porcupine Mountains. He loved being out in the bush cruising timber, meeting with timber operators or working with the highways department to survey the first all-weather roads through the Ducks. Bob also served 37 years in the Boy Scout movement, doing everything from Cub Leader to District Commissioner to Scout '68 Trainer. His love of the outdoors and desire to pass that on to kids led to the building of a Scout camp on Laurie Lake in the Duck Mountains. Bob was a community-minded volunteer. He sat on and chaired many local and provincial boards and committees. Bob was recognized by many groups including Kinsmen Citizen of the Year; Honorary Life Memberships from Fort Dauphin Museum, ARC Industries, MGEA, Association of Manitoba Museums, Scouts Canada Medal of Merit and Long Service Medal. He was also a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal. As president of Fort Dauphin Museum, Bob and Bev were privileged to be presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Selo Ukraina Official opening in 1984. The neighbourhood kids remember camping trips in the big tent and the racoons, as well as Bob's stories. Trips to British Columbia either driving or flying to visit Keith and his family and trips to Regina to visit Jack were a frequent event. Touring Manitoba and Saskatchewan museums both large and small were part of summer holidays with friends Jim and Jeanne Fell from Flin Flon. Annual trips to Creelman, SK for dinner theatre were another thing Bob looked forward to. Bob was admitted to Dauphin P.C.H. in January 2010 when his demands required more care than we could provide. Bev's health problems required he be moved to Winnipeg, so in February Bob became a resident at Oakview Place. In August he was admitted to Grace Hospital with pneumonia, and passed away there. Because no person volunteers alone, Bob was always supportive of and thankful for those he worked with who helped to make Dauphin such a great place to live. Bob was predeceased by his parents and brothers Glen and Keith. Left with many wonderful memories and sad hearts are his wife Bev, their son R.J. (Ruth) and daughter Susan; daughter Wendy and son Laurie (Abbie) from his first marriage. Brother Jack of Regina, grandchildren Shanleigh MacKenzie-Jones (Greg Pohl), Quinn MacKenzie, Lindsay and Cameron Pike of Winnipeg, Benjamin, Sarah and Alexander MacKenzie of Dauphin, Great-granddaughter Adriana Pohl of Winnipeg. Sister-in-law Marion Guild-MacKenzie of Parksville, BC and a large extended family in Canada and the U.S.A. Funeral services were held August 14 from Dauphin First United Church with Rev. Karen Kuzek officiating. Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery. Pallbearers were Wayne Antichow, Conrad Artibise, Ken Cooper, Metro Dupley, Stephen Roznowsky, and Ray Storozinski. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Bob be made to: Dauphin and District Community Foundation, Fort Dauphin Museum Endowment Fund, Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services were in charge of funeral arrangements. Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services 204-638-4110 www.sneathstrilchuk.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2010