ROBERT CRAIK KIRKPATRICK

Condolences & Memories (17 entries)

• Mr. Kirkpatrick was not my first teacher, but he is the only teacher who I truly remember. He taught me to love numbers, and that has stayed with me my entire life. He was my teacher at Wellington for those two years that he was there. One of the best things that he did to hone our adding skills was to point to the numbers from 1 to 9 (probably) with his long chalk holder and to see how many numbers we could add together within 15 seconds. I believe that Myrna, Judy and I were generally the fastest, with me winning most of those contests. Others may remember it differently, and I'm OK with that! I believe that my record was 18 numbers in 15 seconds, but now that I think of it I think the only thing keeping me from adding more numbers was the speed of Robert's chalk wand (I feel that I can call him Robert now, although I wouldn't have thought it at at that time. In addition to instilling the love of numbers into me, he taught us phys-ed and I can remember how safe I felt with the strength of his arms when he helped me to complete a tumble roll. If I ever loved a teacher (and I did) it was Mr. Kirkpatrick!!! This is not about me, but the reason for my search for his name today (that brought me to his obituary) is that love of numbers. Last week I stumbled on the Fibonacci sequence. I had vaguely heard of this previously, but I had never studied it. As I said earlier, I have always loved numbers and they have always come easy to me (at least since Mr. Kirkpatrick came into my life. I believe that I can remember Mr. Kirkpatrick telling us to look for the patterns within numbers. This too has ever since been easy for me. When I looked at the Fibonacci numbers, it almost lept off the page at me that the average of any two consecutive Fibonacci numbers was equal to half of the following numbers. My wife will probably say that it wasn't that easy, but it almost was. And it's only because I had Mr. Kirkpatrick as my teacher!!!!!! Oh how I wish he were still alive today!!!!! I love you Mr. Kirkpatrick (Robert). - Posted by: Doug Runchey (Student) on: Nov 28, 2024

• I was a student in his first class in Winnipeg, at Wellington School( grade 5 &6)(1962-1964)) He was that one teacher that you never forget. A great teacher who taught both Grade 5 and 6 at the same time for a while as I recall. I called him a few years ago and we spoke a while. He remembered me and mentioned if I get up to Winnipeg we could go out for a Coffee. Living in Minneapolis, I wish I had. A great Man - Posted by: Klaus Hoch (Student at Wellington school, 1962-64) on: Feb 26, 2024

• I was so sad to hear of Mr. Kirkpatrick’s passing. He was my grade 6 teacher at Brock Corydon in 1980. I remember him always being so kind and such a wonderful teacher. - Posted by: Heather Ewen (Benner) (Former student) on: Mar 15, 2022

• So sorry to see Mr. Kirkpatrick's passing in the Free Press. We were his first class upon his arrival in Winnipeg. He was a wonderful teacher and so patient with us as The Beatles had just been discovered so some of us inundated him with large posters of the Beatles as we felt he should know them personally! I remember my mother having him over for tea at our house and how appreciative he was of that. He kindly wrote a condolence upon her death a few years ago. I spoke with him afterwards and touched base on our current lives. He was so amazing, remembering many of the students' names in those first classes. I was hoping to plan a future lunch with him and some of these students but unfortunately Cancer and Covid got in the way. Truly a life well-lived! - Posted by: Ruth Byquist (Student in his first class in Winnipeg at Wellington School( grade 5 &6)(1962-1964)) on: Mar 15, 2022

• I'm fairly certain that I was in Mr. Kirkpatrick's first class at Queenston Elementary School in Winnipeg. It was a split class - grades 4/5. I don't know if he had taught elsewhere prior to coming to QS. I'm almost 56 now, so that was a while ago but I remember it like yesterday. He was fantastic and we all loved him. He was so engaged, indulgent and inspiring. I remember him teaching us every possible thing and coaching us baseball and taking us on field trips. Many of my classmates (year mates) continued to visit him whenever back in town and the majority of our class is still in touch on some loose way or other. As a result we kept hearing of him as time went by. He is remembered fondly and missed by many. - Posted by: Diane Malaher (Student) on: Mar 14, 2022

• My heartfelt condolence to Ian and the rest of Bob's family. Bob and I worked together at Brock Corydon but kept in touch. I had the privilege of chatting with Bob less than a year ago where we talked about life, family, and reminisced about old times. Bob was a special person who touched the lives of many and I am so glad that I was able to have had the opportunity to work with him. Bob certainly would be missed. - Posted by: Claire Benjamin (Friend and Co-worker ) on: Mar 14, 2022

• Condolences to Bob ‘s family. I had the great pleasure of working with Bob for ten years at Brock Corydon School. He taught me so much about teaching as he was such a skilled educator.I have many stories but will share a couple that demonstrate how admired he was as a teacher. So well liked by the community, the parents nominated him for the Prime Minister’s Award in Teaching. He told no one about the award and of course he won it. In keeping with Bob’s characteristic humility he refused the honour along with a considerable financial award. When the school was used as a provincial or federal election site, Bob was inundated with former students and parents dropping by his classroom to say hello on their way to the auditorium to vote. He was so popular he had to to close the classroom door, draw the blinds and take off his name plate to get through the day without the many interruptions. When I came to Brock Corydon I had heard about Bob and his wonderful talents as a teacher. On the first day of school I brought a new student to his classroom in the afternoon. Bob stopped the class and introduced this student to each classmate by saying something meaningful and positive about them, one by one. After I asked Bob how he knew so much about each child on the first day of school. He said that he would start to learn about each student the year before so he would have a good connection right from the start. And so he did. He was a master of his art and we all loved working with him. - Posted by: Cathi (Hill) Bowd (Friend and colleague ) on: Mar 13, 2022

• I knew Bob from my time working at Brock Corydon School. He was one of the kindest, most sincere people I was lucky enough to know. He was supportive, and truly caring and very interested in everyone he came in contact with. He spoke so fondly of Caroline, and shared his pride in Iain's success in Medicine. His kind notes of support and his sense of humour will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Elaine Rawsthorne (co worker) on: Mar 13, 2022

• My sincere condolences on the loss of Mr. Kirkpatrick. He was one of the most memorable teachers I had at Brock Corydon in the early 1980's. He was the perfect mix of stern & caring and truly cared about the success of his students. I would run into him around the city many years later, he would always remember my name and ask me about my family and life. He always spoke lovingly about his wife and son Iain and then eventually his grandchildren, RIP Mr. Kirkpatrick, you have made the lives of your students better. - Posted by: Paul Krestanowich (Former Student) on: Mar 12, 2022

• Bob was one of the most gifted teachers I have ever known but more important he was a man of integrity and true humility. He always had time for others. Students who Mr. K taught were respected, cared for, and affirmed in a way that brought out the best in them. I will deeply miss my friend Bob. My deepest condolences to Iain and his family Robert Charach - Posted by: Robert Charach (Colleague at Brock Corydon and friend ) on: Mar 12, 2022

• I would like to offer sincere condolences to Bob’s family on his passing. We were colleagues at Brock Corydon. Bob was an outstanding educator whose influence on his students and colleagues has withstood the test of time. A true gentleman. Rest In Peace, Bob. Your legacy lives on in the hearts of all whose lives you touched. - Posted by: Eileen Curtis (Colleague ) on: Mar 12, 2022

• Mr. K. was one of my favourite teachers at Brock Corydon, I was very saddened to see he'd passed. His love of learning, education, and especially of science always came across so clearly. I have many fond memories of his class and especially of the science fair, which I know was what it was because of him. He was an excellent teacher who managed to ingrain in students a deep understanding of science. I know what I learned from him continues to serve me well today, and the stories he told about growing up in Scotland and teaching up North have stuck with me too. Rest in peace, Mr. K. Thanks for everything. - Posted by: Maureen Babb (Former student) on: Mar 12, 2022

• I want to send my deepest condolences to the loss of Mr. Kirkpatrick and his loving family. Mr. Kirkpatrick left an everlasting impression in my life. He was my Grade 5 teacher at Brock Corydon and through all my years of postgraduate education, there is no teacher that quite compares. He was passionate, interesting, and made sense of the topics he taught. I will never forget him and I thank him for being the most outstanding teacher I have ever had. He had a special sparkle and was born to be a teacher. He will be dearly missed but his legacy will live on. I am honoured I got to know him and kept in touch for a number of years after elementary school. Thank you. - Posted by: Amy Ludwig (Previous student at Brock Corydon (Grade 5) in 1996/1997) on: Mar 12, 2022

• I want to express my sincere condolences to Bob’s family. I worked with him at Brock Corydon for many years and he holds a special place in my heart. I remember him coming to share his experiences living and teaching up north in my Grade 3 classroom. I was as engaged as the students, listening to his stories. When he left the school, I remember the staff creating a book/card for him and I included a quote by a favourite author, Barbara Kingsolver: “Do you think it’s possible to live without wanting to put your names on your paintings? To belong to a group so securely you don’t need to rise above it?” Bob is one of the few people I’ve met in my life who did not need to rise above the people around him. He was such a dedicated, caring teacher/person who treated all respectfully and truly knew his students as individuals. I hope your precious memories will bring you peace. - Posted by: Sharla Chochinov (Colleague at Brock Corydon) on: Mar 12, 2022

• Condolences to the family. Caroline worked for Winnipeg School Division Library Services in 1965 before she moved to Wellington. It was through her that I met Robbie. His work in metrics brought us together often. It was a fine friendship. I respected them both very much. After Caroline passed, Robbie called quite often. Sorry to miss his last illness. Would have loved to visit him again. Best wishes to the family. Gerald Brown, Chief Librarian, WSD. - Posted by: Gerald R. Brown (Friend) on: Mar 12, 2022

• My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Kirkpatricks family. Mr. Kirkpatrick was my teacher at Laura Secord school in 1970 and that’s when I learned the meaning of patience and how to demonstrate self control. Looking back now I realize he was the perfect amount of stern, tempered with an abundance of nurturing. He Got Me and for that thank you. ❤️ Joe - Posted by: joe missalino (Former student ) on: Mar 12, 2022

• I’m saddened to learn of Mr. Kirkpatrick’s passing. I was his student for a year in the late 70s. More than any other teacher or mentor, he had a significant role in my education and trajectory in life. He found talent and intelligence in me I didn’t know I had. Lessons and guidance and insight that’s remained with me for over 40 years. Condolences to his family. - Posted by: John McFee (Former student) on: Mar 12, 2022