Robert Warwick

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Robert (Bob) Ernest Warwick died on November 7, 2021. Born to Remington and Olive Warwick on July 19, 1935, Bob lived his entire life in the Midnight Lake and North Battleford areas. He was born on the home quarter NE 2-52-17 W3. Bob was the third of four children, with older siblings Bill and Fran, rounded out with little brother Joe.

Bob attended school at Midnight Lake until Grade 8, then took 3 years of high school at NBCI in North Battleford and returned to the family farm in 1953. Seeking a life beyond the farm, Bob worked on the Mid Canada Line at Bird, MB in 1957, 1958 and 1959. With construction done and his wanderlust fulfilled, Bob returned home to Midnight Lake and took over the family farm in 1959. He lived in the same yard as his Mom and Dad until his Dad died in 1973 and his Mom moved to North Battleford a few years later.

The story goes that Bob bought a car once he returned from Manitoba and shortly thereafter caught the eye of Shirley McMillan from North Battleford. They were married on August 19, 1960. Bob asked Shirley to marry him in May of 1960 with a line that went like this. Pulling the ring out of his pocket, he said, “Take this damn thing before it burns a hole in my pocket.” On their wedding day, Bob was asked if he had packed for their honeymoon in Prince Albert. “Yes,” he replied, “I have clean underwear and a toothbrush in the glovebox of the car.”

Bob was a good farmer. His gentle and patient nature really paid off when it came to working with animals. He was good with horses, patient with cows and simply did a good job of it. Before retiring from the farm in 1996, he had built up a herd of 120 bred cows, so a total count of 250 head including bulls, calves, etc. Quite an accomplishment.

Bob’s personality made it easy for him to make friends. He was fortunate to have life-long friends that cared for him until the end, and made friends along the way too.

The most important occurrence in his life, though, was welcoming his lovely daughters into the family, with Norma arriving in 1967 and Patty in 1969. As good of a son, brother, uncle, worker, farmer and friend as he was, he excelled at being a Dad. He was proud to support and encourage them and see them grow into beautiful, accomplished women. He was also an excellent grandfather, doting on Jordan, Mikayla and Sidney. Though Norma and Patty were his favourites, he always had time to lend a helping hand or simply have a nice chat with sons-in-law, Mike and Doug.

What was a relatively simple and idyllic life, with a planned and not yet fully fulfilled happy retirement, was shattered when Shirley was diagnosed with cancer, resulting in her death on May 18, 2010. Bob shared the remainder of his life with his good friend Flo.

Earlier this year, Bob had to bear the loss of his darling Norma to Covid – a loss no parent should have to bear.

Bob enjoyed games and cards, camping, fishing and spending time with family, punctuated with the odd rum, or a tasty cold beer on an especially hot day in the summer.
Bob touched so many lives in a positive way throughout his time on earth. Those of us who met him or got to know him count ourselves lucky to have been a part of his life. The world has lost a good one.

Rest in peace Bob. Your job is done, and done well at that.

A Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 2021 at the Garden Chapel, Eternal Memories Funeral Service, 1332-100th Street, North Battleford, SK. The Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Third Avenue United Church, 1301-102nd Street, North Battleford, SK with Reverend Dexter van Dyke officiating. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations in memory of Mr. Robert Warwick may be made to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre- designated to Cancer Research, 20 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4H4 or to the Riverside Health Complex- Palliative Care Unit, Box 10, Turtleford, SK S0M 2Y0. Condolences for the family can be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Robert MacKay of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium.