Robert "Bob" Hunter

It is with great sadness that we share the news, that Bob (Robert Blain Hunter) passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 on his way home.

Bob was born at Sherridon, MB on January 9, 1941. He was 81, and lived his life just the way he wanted, right until the end.

Bob was the oldest of 5 children born to Russell Gould Hunter & Annie Roberta (Dryden) Hunter. He is pre-deceased by his daughter Dana, brother Brian and brothers-in-law Don Johnson, Vilas Anderson, Jim Arthur. He is survived by his wife Linda, son Brett (Kelly) and grandchildren Dalyn, Haley & Noelle, and his siblings Clinton (Linda), Fraser (Nancy), Janet and in laws Nicole Hunter, Vivian Anderson, Cheryl Arthur, Garry (Trudy) Curtis, Lorie (Denis) Garcia.

After being born, he lived in Virden for two years, Kenton for two years, on the farm at Lenore for 4 years and on the family farm at Oakner for 18 years. Bob started his schooling in Lenore, and then attended school in Oakner, followed by highschool in Hamiota. Childhood activities included helping on the family farm, school sports, Oakner 4-H Beef Club and curling. The last 8 years of his Oakner stay were intermittent as he was employed by Manitoba Telephone Systems for 6 years and had him travelling all over the province. He was one of the first people to lay fiber optic in Manitoba. He then started a private enterprise as an owner/operator in heavy equipment construction in 1966.

On August 23, 1968, Bob and Linda Curtis (of Reston, MB) married. After living in Winnipeg for a year they moved to Rossburn, MB where he started Hunter Trucking, which after attending college, his son Brett moved home to work in the business. Bob still worked full time and operated Hunter Trucking to this day with his son.

Bob and Linda had two children: Dana Aileen and Brett Lee.

He was a long-time member of the Rossburn Lions Club, was a Rossburn Town Councillor for 5 years and served on many committees as well as an active member of Fire Department and First Responder.

He always said his hobbies were limited as he most enjoyed going to work every day in his construction business. However, he enjoyed summer weekends camping at Rossman Lake and visiting with everyone who stopped by.

This hardworking, strong man, appeared gruff at first. Bob always told you how he felt, loved hard and was quick to smile and laugh. He knew someone everywhere or ALWAYS ran into someone he knew wherever he travelled all over the world. He always had a warm greeting for anyone he met, asked how they were and had a story to share. He enjoyed travelling with his wife. He was a huge Saskatchewan Rough Riders fan – with much teasing from friends and family. He especially loved having to drive grandkids to practices/games & cheering them on at all their sports. He enjoyed working at the shop every day and driving his semi/loader/excavator to jobs and visiting with customers. On any rainy or quiet days, you would find him tinkering away on a variety of projects at the shop. Brett learned everything he knows from his dad.

Special Memories shared by his grandchildren:

Dalyn: One of my favorite memories with my Grandpa Bob, was when we would go downstairs and build forts all over the basement. We would use his tools and he would cut and put them together using spare pieces of wood and parts. Another fond memory is of going to the gravel pit with him, riding in the truck or excavator and so on with him while working.

Haley: Some of my favorite memories of my Grandpa are of when he would always take me to sports for practices or games. I would always be able to see him sitting in the rink watching our games. Grandpa Bob would also always play catch with me outside of their house, when I asked, because I wanted to be better than all the boys.

Noelle: My favorite moments with my Grandpa Bob, was when he helped me set up my Playmobil camper I got for Christmas and when we also played kitchen and I made him food.

Thank you so much to our friends, who were first on the scene, tried to help and contacted us. Our hearts and hugs are with you. Thank you to the first responders and everyone who tried to help. Thank you for all the messages, texts, food dropped off and love given from everyone during this difficult time.

Please feel free to reach out to share any memories with us or crack a cold Club beer in his memory for us. (Or any beer as we liked to tease him that he was the only one who liked Club).

Bob was the cornerstone in our life as a husband, father and grandfather; words cannot express how much we will miss him.

Linda, Brett, Kelly, Dalyn, Haley & Noelle Hunter