Robert "Bob" Caldwell

On behalf of the Caldwell family it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Caldwell of Dauphin, Manitoba who passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at the age of 76 years.
Bob (also known as "R.B.") was born on October 12, 1942 in Dauphin to Thomas and Lillian Caldwell, the second of two boys.  Early memories included delivering eggs with his father and working on the family farm on the outskirts of town.  Bob was just 17 years old when his father passed away, and he stepped up to care for his mother and brother.   In 1965, he bought his first two cattle from Gary Hockridge, the start of what would become a lifelong love of animals and farming.  He also worked off the farm, delivering fuel in the Dauphin area.  Two years later, he became a driver for the charter bus service in town.  Some of his favourite stories from those years came from his road trips with the brand new Dauphin Kings junior hockey team, where he was affectionately known as "Bussie".
In September of 1967, Bob married the love of his life, Barbara Uruski - the woman he would share his days with for the next 51 years.  They were blessed with two children, Rob and Pam, before establishing a farm with livestock and hay in 1970.  A year later, Bob joined the Dauphin Regional Health Centre as laundry truck driver to help support his growing family and farm operation.  In 1974, a third child, Michelle, entered the world, and in 1983 they built a new home.  
Throughout his life, Bob loved spending time outdoors, whether he was harvesting hay from the meadow, cutting wood in the bush with his friends, checking on his cows or just relaxing at the lake with family.  When he travelled, he was often with family members or friends, and he loved the sight of new places and landmarks he had never visited before.  A highlight trip was on his 50th wedding anniversary, when he and Barb travelled to the Rocky Mountains.
It wasn't until the year 2000 that Bob was able to retire from the Health Centre to focus on farming full time.  For the next 16 years, he continued what he had always done - caring for his family, his animals, helping friends and neighbours when they needed a hand, and looking for a chance to have a good laugh.
The laughs are what his family remembers the most.  In his younger years, he and his friends played practical jokes on each other and teased often.  When children, and later grandchildren, arrived there was always a story to share, a joke to tell, or time to clown around and have a bit of fun.    
In 2006, Bob was able to reconnect with his Dauphin Kings.  Barb and he became season ticket holders, and spent the next twelve winters cheering on their favourite players, throwing scorn at the team's opponents, and visting with friends in between periods.  The last game he enjoyed was the night he passed away.
Bob was predeceased by his father, Thomas, his mother Lillian and his brother Tom.  He is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Uruski), his children Rob (and Brenda) Caldwell, Pam (and Larry) Hominuk, Michelle (and Scott) Brown, as well as grandchildren Dylan, Jessica, Garret, Kelsey, Jerry and Carson.  He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Barb's brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews.
His family wishes to thank the good samaritans who stopped on the highway to help, the neighbour who called 9-1-1, and the first responders from the Fire Department, RCMP and Ambulance Service, as well as staff of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre.  They also wish to extend their appreciation to the venerable Archdeacon Paul Crossland for officiating Bob's funeral and the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin for their support.  Thanks also go out to the many friends and family that have offered their support through prayers, visits, phone calls, donations of food or expressions of sympathy since Bob's passing.
Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Robert may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or Diabetes Canada.

Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 1:00 pm from Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB with Archdeacon Paul Crossland & Rev. Jared Driscoll officiating.  Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, MB.  

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