ROBERT PETRI (BOB)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROBERT PETRI

It is with sorrow in our hearts that we announce the death of Robert (Bob) Petri at the age of 80.
Bob leaves many loved ones to mourn his passing: Jan, his loving wife of what would have been 56 years on July 4, 2020, as well as his daughters, Karla and Robin, his sons-in-law, Rick and Dane, and his beloved grandchildren, Griffen, Zoe, Riley, Everett and Sasha. He will be missed by nieces and nephews, brother-in-law Grant, and many more people from a life of adventure, fulfilling work, sport, travel and time spent with good friends and family.
Though it is with the deepest of sadness that we mourn his passing, it is with the greatest joy that we celebrate his wonderful life.
Bob's adventures started early. He hitchhiked across Western Canada at age 16, attempted to cross Lake Winnipeg on water skiis with high school friends, and cycled/ backpacked through Europe between stints at university. After Bob and Jan married, they honeymooned in the campgrounds of the Canadian Rockies then saved up for a nine-month roaming trip to Europe. Bob and Jan would do many more trips together, their favourites being to Barbados, Hawaii, Portugal and New Zealand. All through his life, Bob embraced adventure travel and had visited over 50 countries on six continents. His work in the 1980s took him to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kazahkstan. Shortly after turning 60, and about six months before heart surgery, he hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with his daughters, Karla and Robin.
Bob studied and taught Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba, being the first in his family to attend university. He completed a Masters Degree in Structural Engineering and 75% of the courses needed for a Ph.D before moving into a successful career as a Consulting Engineer. He worked for respected firms Crosier Kilgour (Winnipeg), Associated Engineering (Edmonton, Trail, Vancouver, San Francisco) and UMA Group (Winnipeg). Bob was rewarded for his hard work, creative problem-solving and strong leadership abilities as his responsibilities grew from a position in 1958 as Rodman No. 1 at City of St. James, to Vice President and Regional Manager for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario at UMA Group by 1988.
Bob reached his early retirement goal at the young age of 53, leaving lots of time for travel with Jan, his daughters and 10 years living out at the cottage that he rebuilt at Falcon Lake. Bob enjoyed biking to West Hawk, cross-country skiing out into the wintery woods, listening to the loons while canoeing, going for faster boat rides (often with a tube or skier at the back) and hosting family and friends for Moscow Mules on the dock.
Above all, his family meant everything to him. He was so proud of his grandchildren and loved to hold and snuggle them as babies. Attending and hearing about their school events and sports activities brought much happiness to him. His family has a stockpile of enduring memories. He will be missed.
Please honour and celebrate his life with each day you enjoy to its fullest, when you work hard to achieve a goal, while seeking out new places and people, and in the love you share with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winnipeg Harvest at winnipegharvest.org

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 30, 2020