He was born on the family farm near Simpson, the youngest of three boys.
His father’s failing health made the 1930s even more difficult for his family. The three young boys took over many farm tasks starting with the milking, tending the animals, and hauling barrels of water from Devil’s Lake to water their large garden. The family sold vegetables, berries, eggs and cream to help them get through the dry years. One year they shipped a boxcar of cabbages to Regina. Dad said his childhood was happy despite all the hard work.
He enlisted in the RCAF at age eighteen and spent nearly three years in Great Britain. After the war, he moved to Saskatoon, learned meat cutting at Canada Packers, and farmed part-time. He married Marjorie Laird and in 1954 they became fulltime farmers. Dad’s meat cutting skills were appreciated by his neighbours and he enjoyed how the community came together, whether it was moving a building or simply giving a helping hand.
In 1987 Mom and Dad retired to Saskatoon. Dad spent a lot of time tending his beautiful garden and helped his brother Tom as needed. At their last harvest both were over eighty. Mom and Dad travelled to see family and enjoyed Laird reunions. They made many friends through the Avalon Senior’s group to add to the farm friends and family that dropped in regularly. It was a rare day with no visitors or something to do.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Marjorie, brothers Thomas and John, John’s wife Marion and their children Allen and Lynn, and all of Marjorie’s siblings and their spouses.
He will be loving remembered by his daughter Nancy, son-in-law Wolfgang and his pride and joy: grandchildren Sabrina, Derek, Anita and Niels. He will also be fondly remembered by nephew Brian Robinson and many treasured Taylor, Childs, and Laird nieces and nephews.
Thank you to the wonderful staff at Veterans Village.
The laying of Bob’s ashes will be private, but we invite you to an informal memorial at a favorite place of Mom and Dad’s: from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Western Development Museum (2610 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon) for coffee and dainties.
Memorial donations in Bob’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Thea Katchmar
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