ROBERT DAVID (BOB) WAITE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ROBERT DAVID (BOB) WAITE
May 10, 1954 - July 8, 2020

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Robert David (Bob) Waite, peacefully on the evening of July 8 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elliot Lake, ON.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, James and Margaret, and will be missed and remembered by brothers, Jim, Pete and Doug (Stephanie), nieces, Kelly, Lisa and Tasha, many cousins, friends and much extended family.
Bob was born in Ottawa on May 10, 1954, the second son of James and Margaret. In 1956 the family moved to Winnipeg, eventually settling in the Pulberry area of St. Vital. He attended Hastings Elementary and Junior High Schools. Early hobbies included stamp collecting, building plastic model kits and joining Air Cadets. Early jobs included a paper route for the Winnipeg Tribune and delivering Dickie Dee Ice Cream.
After graduating from Dakota Collegiate in 1972, Bob went on to study at the University of Winnipeg, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Urban Planning. During his time there he joined the Zeta Psi fraternity. He was an enthusiastic and active 'Zete' much of his life, both in the Winnipeg and (later) Toronto chapters, and made many lifelong friends through that association. As a young adult he also developed a passion for sports cars, particularly British makes, and over a period of time bought and sold several MGs, Triumphs, Jensons and a Jaguar XKE.
He owned two RJ's Pizza franchises and served for several years as a Second Lieutenant in the reserves, before moving to Toronto in the early 1980s, where he had several jobs, particularly in the fields of restaurant management and real estate development. Bob moved back to Winnipeg in the early 1990s and from that point on, never seemed to settle in one place too long. He claimed to have moved more than 50 times in his life and bought and sold many properties, particularly in Winnipeg but also in Toronto, Huntsville, Wood Lake, Phoenix and Elliot Lake. He was very fond of the character homes in the Wolseley area of Winnipeg, which he would buy, live in, renovate then sell. He became a 'snowbird' later in life, splitting his time between Phoenix, Arizona and Southern Ontario before settling in Elliot Lake where he lived at the time of his passing.
All his life, but particularly in later years, Bob enjoyed spending a lot of time at the family cottage on Muldrew Lake in Muskoka, swimming, boating or just enjoying a drink on the deck with friends and family. He was a history buff, particularly military history of which he was a fair authority. He was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, a dedicated movie buff, loved a good party or all-night poker game, and was never shy about sharing his opinion on any subject. He will be particularly missed by twin brothers, Pete and Doug, with whom he maintained a close bond throughout his life.
Cremation has taken place and there are no immediate plans for a memorial service.
Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, or to any charity of your choice.

Bob, you left us far too soon.
We love you and miss you.
You live on in our hearts and memories. Peace be with you.

'We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved and were loved...'
- Excerpt from 'In Flanders Fields' by
L.Col. John McCrae, 'Zete'

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 25, 2020