ROBERT (BOB) WALDON

Condolences & Memories (6 entries)

• I had known Bob since a young boy in Killarney in the 1950's, his enthusiasm for life and the natural world of Manitoba was infectious, he is missed deeply. - Posted by: Roy C. Kellet (Friend of the family) on: Feb 13, 2021

• I was involved in the manufacturing of wild bird and cage bird blends when I heard that Bob was coming to give a talk in Lethbridge. I went and listened and afterward we met and talked about birds and Manitoba, subjects close to my heart. We stayed in touch and he had me send him some pricing for various bird food ingredients and blends. He used this information to create an index in one of his last “how to” books. I visited Bob and Carole at Alert Bay and was treated to a guided tour by Bob, the unofficial ambassador for the area. Bob will be greatly missed by all that knew him and the wild birds of the world lost a true champion. - Posted by: Don McDowell (Acquaintance/friend) on: Oct 21, 2020

• I first meet Bob when he started the wee local newsletter in St. James many years ago. He shared office space with another fellow who wrote an employee newsletter for Security Storage (I think). I was hired as their receptionist/maid of ALL work. We became good friends, until my personal life took me away from the job. I still recall driving the layout material to a printer in Beausejour (I think) for printing. We had some good times and fascinating experiences during my stay there. - Posted by: Penny Shaw (friend and former employee) on: Apr 10, 2020

• Saddened this morning to learn of Bob's death. He was quite the character to say the least and totally dedicated to preserving and restoring Manitoba's natural ecosystems. We did a lot together back then, he the enthusiastic teacher, me the willing learner. To say the least, he was very influential in my life during my Manitoba years. He encouraged me to take on the role of chairing the Parks Committee of the Manitoba Naturalists Society and enthusiastically supported our campaign to introduce master planning for Manitoba's parks system and in stopping the 200 unit condo project onBig Whiteshell Lake approved by the new Lyon administration in late 1977. I appreciated the help and encouragement he gave me when I ran for office and served during the 1980's trying to achieve progress in the Greening of Manitoba. We explored areas in the Spruce Woods area by foot and by X-C ski and with other MNS members built the Rae Trail along his beloved Assiniboine River Valley north of Glenboro, which we returned to many times to ski in winter. He led memorable springtime canoe trips down the Assiniboine in SW Manitoba near Hartney which turned into history lessons as well as environmental and photo studies, searching for newly emerging Prairie Crocus on the high river banks and cooking up morel mushrooms he foraged. He acquired an acreage deep in the Pembina Valley, thereafter named "The Patch", erected a tiny lodging space and returned frequently to tend to his re-wilding land and observe the wildflowers and wildlife that trickled by. It is fitting that he ended up back neat his "Patch" as I know he gained great pleasure in that space. In September, after a kayaking trip in Quatsino Sound, Lois and I took the ferry over to Alert Bay to see if Bob and Carole were still there. We asked around and soon found people who knew Carole and Bob only to learn that they had returned to Manitoba several years ago, but fondly remembered by these folks in Alert Bay. RIP Bob Waldon and thanks for your dedication to nature and all the trips you led and books you wrote to entice more people to enjoy nature's beauty and bounty. You have made a valuable lifelong contribution to Manitoba and your efforts and good deeds will live on in the habitat you have preserved and the lessons and appreciation you taught to others. Carole, you've had so many great years together and covered so much territory, both physically and intellectually. May you find joy and happiness in your memories. Be sure and connect with us when you next visit Ashley and Janet. Sincerely, Don Scott & Lois Toms - Posted by: Don Scott & Lois Toms (Friends and fellow naturalists) on: Apr 05, 2020

• I would like to take this opportunity to express my most sincere condolences to Bob's family. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I had not crossed paths with Bob in many years, but whenever we did meet, Bob was always genuinely interested in what I was doing, especially if I was still writing. Bob was my first real boss when I worked summers at the St. James Leader. Besides teaching me about the newspaper business, he instilled in me the love of writing. For that, I will always be grateful to Bob Waldon. Thank you, Bob. Rest easy. - Posted by: Maurice Hogue (Friend) on: Apr 05, 2020

• I met Bob Waldon when he was working for the St. James Leader, then again as a member of the Manitoba Naturalists Society ( Natural History Society of Manitoba) and finally while he was working for Parks Canada in Riding Mountain National Park. I remember Bob as a bright, energetic and positive Canadian who loved the wonderful land in which we live, including all its plants and wildlife. My condolences to his wife Carole. - Posted by: Bob Page (friend, fellow naturalist ) on: Apr 04, 2020