Howard Robert Burke – known to many as “Bob” or “Burke” – was born in Virden, Manitoba on Sunday, March 22, 1931 to Jean West Burke (née Stevenson) and Howard Leroy Burke. Bob’s family moved to Saskatchewan when he was young, moving around a bit and then settling in a small town called Young. Right up until his final days, Bob stood by his sentiment that “growing up poor in a small Saskatchewan village was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
He met Maxine Rowan when they were kids in grade school in Young. Another sentiment Bob liked to say was "the smartest thing I ever did was marry Maxine." They married in 1953, and had 4 children by 1961. Bob worked for the CNR in Saskatchewan for a dozen years, until the future with the CNR became uncertain. He decided to go back to University in 1963 for his Teacher’s Certificate while still working nights for the CNR. After a year of teaching in Denzil, Saskatchewan Bob got a teaching job in Chilliwack. He and Maxine and the kids moved west in 1966, and Bob taught at McCammon Elementary School, Sardis Secondary School, and Vedder Junior Secondary School for 25 years. Chilliwack was a great place to land for Bob, and he and Maxine raised their family and built a community of great friends around their love of curling, dancing, golfing, playing bridge, and Bob's woodturning.
Bob retired in 1991. He filled his retirement years with traveling, curling, dancing, golfing, bridge, and woodturning, He and Maxine were lucky to have 5 grandchildren that they spent as much time with as possible. To say family was important would be an understatement.
Bob was predeceased by Maxine in 2021. He is survived by his children: Howie, Rick (Carol), Colleen (Bob), and Michael (Eileen); his grandchildren: Casey (Anthony), Erik, Angela (Braydon), Ryan (Kate), and Christina; and his many, many good friends: you know who you are.
Our family would like to thank the Home Health Care nurses (especially Kate) for helping us to keep Dad at home where he wanted to be. Thanks also to Dr's Harder and Dwamena, and to Lock's Pharmacy.
If you want to make a donation in Bob's memory, the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation or the Sandra Schmirler Foundation are a couple he would approve of.
A celebration of Bob's life is planned for April 8, 2023 at 1pm at the Chilliwack Curling Club (45550 Spadina Ave, Chilliwack). All are welcome. He will be laid to rest in Young, SK in the coming months beside his beloved wife Maxine.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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