Obituary for Robert Milne Harbottle
ROBERT MILNE HARBOTTLE
August 22, 1942 - January 11, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Robert Milne Harbottle on January 11, 2024 at the St. Boniface Hospital.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wendy; his sons, Kevin (Janet), Shaun (Jeanette), and Lorne (Kristine); grandchildren Emma, Ty, Zoe, Bree, Baylee, Josh, and Calee; brother Garry (Gail) and nieces Suzanne (Jason) and Sheri (Sean).
He was predeceased by his parents Milne and Edna Harbottle.
Bob grew up in the Kirkfield Park area attending Kirkfield Park school. Bob’s parents, Milne and Edna, purchased Crescent Beach Cottages in 1958 and thus began Bob’s life-long love of West Hawk Lake. While his family moved to West Hawk, Bob chose to stay in Winnipeg to complete his high school at Lincoln High and Westwood Collegiate by staying with his aunt and uncle. On the weekends he would hitch a ride to West Hawk with delivery drivers headed out to the Whiteshell. After graduation, Bob lived in West Hawk and began working for the Forestry department and then in the next season the Fisheries Departments. He loved to tell tales of about stocking fish throughout the province and how he worked with various characters in the Whiteshell.
In 1960 he met the love of his life, Wendy, and they were married in 1963.
Bob began his Industrial Arts teaching career at John Henderson in East Kildonan. In 1965, he started taking summer school at the University of North Dakota while he continued to teach during the school year at John Taylor and then Glenlawn Collegiate. After four summers, he graduated in 1971 from UND with his Industrial Arts Teaching Degree. He also added to this degree by attending MITT for an upgrade in electronics and was extremely proud of his 32-year teaching career.
In 1966, Bob and Wendy moved to St. Vital where he was active in the community at the St. Vital Curling Club, a leader with the 3rd Winnipeg Cubs and Scouts, and a coach at Norberry Community Club. Many friends will remember his lengthy position as a co-director of the cubs and scouts Klondike Derby as they joined him to support this annual event.
Bob and Wendy raised the three boys on Wakefield Bay and then, in 1990, he and Wendy took on the building of their dream home on Forbes Road. Summers were spent out at West Hawk where he had built his cottage on the rock overlooking the lake. He loved the lake life adventures including slalom waterskiing and leading many boating adventures on Lake of The Woods with friends.
His retirement from teaching allowed him to spend more time at his favourite place in the world, his cottage at West Hawk Lake. Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to be active led him to numerous ventures that included selling firewood, installing satellites, building renovations, and volunteering at Meteor Fest. He was passionate about the fact that West Hawk Lake was created by a meteor. To share this unique geological history, he designed and enlisted the help of family and friends to build the kiosk at Crescent Beach. Despite his active retirement, he always found time to get down to the dock where he enjoyed basking in the sun with a cool drink watching and playing with his grandkids.
Retirement also meant Bob and Wendy could live out their travel dreams. House sitting on Vancouver Island, visiting family in Australia (twice), sailing the BVI, 5th wheeling throughout the United States, Val Vista trailer park in Mesa, and Puerto Vallarta were just some of the highlights.
Above it all, he would tell anyone who would listen how proud he was of his family and all their accomplishments.
In lieu of flowers, if friends wish, they can remember Bob with a donation to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, or a charity of their choice.
A heartfelt thank you to the caring and hardworking staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their efforts and support.
To remember Bob, the family will be hosting a come-and-go gathering on Sunday, January 28, 2024 between 1:00pm and 3:30pm at Norberry Community Club – 26 Molgat Avenue.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
Tributes: ejcoutu.ca
August 22, 1942 - January 11, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Robert Milne Harbottle on January 11, 2024 at the St. Boniface Hospital.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wendy; his sons, Kevin (Janet), Shaun (Jeanette), and Lorne (Kristine); grandchildren Emma, Ty, Zoe, Bree, Baylee, Josh, and Calee; brother Garry (Gail) and nieces Suzanne (Jason) and Sheri (Sean).
He was predeceased by his parents Milne and Edna Harbottle.
Bob grew up in the Kirkfield Park area attending Kirkfield Park school. Bob’s parents, Milne and Edna, purchased Crescent Beach Cottages in 1958 and thus began Bob’s life-long love of West Hawk Lake. While his family moved to West Hawk, Bob chose to stay in Winnipeg to complete his high school at Lincoln High and Westwood Collegiate by staying with his aunt and uncle. On the weekends he would hitch a ride to West Hawk with delivery drivers headed out to the Whiteshell. After graduation, Bob lived in West Hawk and began working for the Forestry department and then in the next season the Fisheries Departments. He loved to tell tales of about stocking fish throughout the province and how he worked with various characters in the Whiteshell.
In 1960 he met the love of his life, Wendy, and they were married in 1963.
Bob began his Industrial Arts teaching career at John Henderson in East Kildonan. In 1965, he started taking summer school at the University of North Dakota while he continued to teach during the school year at John Taylor and then Glenlawn Collegiate. After four summers, he graduated in 1971 from UND with his Industrial Arts Teaching Degree. He also added to this degree by attending MITT for an upgrade in electronics and was extremely proud of his 32-year teaching career.
In 1966, Bob and Wendy moved to St. Vital where he was active in the community at the St. Vital Curling Club, a leader with the 3rd Winnipeg Cubs and Scouts, and a coach at Norberry Community Club. Many friends will remember his lengthy position as a co-director of the cubs and scouts Klondike Derby as they joined him to support this annual event.
Bob and Wendy raised the three boys on Wakefield Bay and then, in 1990, he and Wendy took on the building of their dream home on Forbes Road. Summers were spent out at West Hawk where he had built his cottage on the rock overlooking the lake. He loved the lake life adventures including slalom waterskiing and leading many boating adventures on Lake of The Woods with friends.
His retirement from teaching allowed him to spend more time at his favourite place in the world, his cottage at West Hawk Lake. Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to be active led him to numerous ventures that included selling firewood, installing satellites, building renovations, and volunteering at Meteor Fest. He was passionate about the fact that West Hawk Lake was created by a meteor. To share this unique geological history, he designed and enlisted the help of family and friends to build the kiosk at Crescent Beach. Despite his active retirement, he always found time to get down to the dock where he enjoyed basking in the sun with a cool drink watching and playing with his grandkids.
Retirement also meant Bob and Wendy could live out their travel dreams. House sitting on Vancouver Island, visiting family in Australia (twice), sailing the BVI, 5th wheeling throughout the United States, Val Vista trailer park in Mesa, and Puerto Vallarta were just some of the highlights.
Above it all, he would tell anyone who would listen how proud he was of his family and all their accomplishments.
In lieu of flowers, if friends wish, they can remember Bob with a donation to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, or a charity of their choice.
A heartfelt thank you to the caring and hardworking staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their efforts and support.
To remember Bob, the family will be hosting a come-and-go gathering on Sunday, January 28, 2024 between 1:00pm and 3:30pm at Norberry Community Club – 26 Molgat Avenue.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
Tributes: ejcoutu.ca