ROBERT ERNEST SIMPSON

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ROBERT ERNEST SIMPSON On Friday, June 3, 2016, Robert Ernest Simpson passed away at the age of 89 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba with his wife and family by his side. Loving memories are shared by Rose (Bob's second wife); children Claire Zimmerman, Jeff and his wife Kim, Scott, and Andrea and her partner Rob Maier; grandchildren Matthew, Heather, Jenna, Steven, Julie and Emily. Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Beulah (2003), his brother Stanley "Bud" (1973), sister Clara Harrison (1969), and daughter-in-law Ute (2013). The son of Stanley and Alice Simpson, Bob was born on April 5, 1927 and raised in Brockville, Ontario. Despite a childhood bout of rheumatic fever, he excelled scholastically, taking lead roles in musicals and serving as Brockville Collegiate Institute's yearbook editor. Bob loved spending time on the St. Lawrence River with his family and with Sea Cadets, eventually building a cottage overlooking the river with his Dad after his mother's death. He returned frequently to visit his roots; savouring family reunions, river traffic, the Thousand Islands, Royal Military College (RMC) Club of Canada reunions and Old Brigade parades. Bob graduated from RMC with a BA in History and Economics, and married his high school sweetheart, Beulah Louch, on August 15, 1953. He joined the Marketing Division of Shell Canada, working in sales and real estate development in Ottawa, Brockville, Halifax and Montreal. After working for Brunswick Canada (1965), he joined the Area Development Agency of the Department of Industry in Ottawa; receiving his bilingual designation, and completing his graduate diploma in Public Administration from Carleton University, and the industrial development program of the American Industrial Council at the University of Oklahoma. He continued his career in economic development with DREE, DRIE, and Western Economic Diversification in Winnipeg, retiring in 1991 after 25 years with the federal government. With each career move, Bob oversaw the construction of a new home for his family. He strove to ensure his children had a good education and loved to talk about history and current events. Each summer the family embarked on extended camping trips visiting sites and cities across Canada and the USA. Throughout his life, Bob volunteered with the Canadian Forces Militia (attaining the rank of Major in the Artillery); Industrial Developers Association of Canada; Boy Scouts of Canada; Rotary Clubs in Brockville, Ontario and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Royal United Services Institute (Winnipeg) and Canadian Club of Winnipeg. He enjoyed singing with Sturgeon Creek United Church choir, the Winnipeg Male Chorus and the Southwinds Chorus. Upon retirement, Bob and Beulah travelled and spent winter months at their mobile home in Sarasota, Florida. When Beulah became ill with ALS in 2002, Bob renovated their Winnipeg home to accommodate her needs and later visited her daily in hospital until she passed away in 2003. They were married 49 years. On June 24, 2005, Bob married his second wife, Rose Pout. They shared a love for traveling, visiting family in other provinces, working out at the Wellness Institute and going for coffee at McDonalds. Both Bob and Rose were determined to stay in their own home as long as possible. Rose will miss her kind and caring partner with his sense of humour. The family extends sincere thanks to Cam and Janis Kuzik, Transitions Senior Care, the Geriatric Program Assessment Team, and the doctors, nurses and palliative care staff who cared for Bob at Concordia Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre. A celebration of Bob's life will take place 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at Kildonan Community Church, 2373 Main Street, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one's choice. Bardal Funeral Home and Crematorium 204-774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca
Publish Date: Jun 11, 2016

ROBERT ERNEST SIMPSON It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Ernest Simpson, on June 3, 2016, at the age of 89. Arrangements are pending and a full obituary will follow. Bardal Funeral Home 843 Sherbrook Street, 204-774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca

Publish Date: Jun 7, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 11, 2016