Robert "Bob" Allen Friesen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Friesen.

Bob had a carefree childhood in Steinbach Manitoba, the sixth of seven children born to Adina and Jonas Friesen. His childhood was spent surrounded by a large, loving family. His teenage summers were spent in the family lumber yard allowing him to acquire practical skills that would serve him well throughout his life — he was a guy who could fix just about anything.

In 1964 he met the love of his life, Betty Darichuk, working together at the CIBC in Winnipeg. Later Bob started at the Bank of Montreal– staying with the bank until retirement. In 1975 he started night school to get his Finance degree, working all day, coming home for baths and bedtime, then returning downtown to study late into the night. In 1980 the family moved to Gimli, and in 1986 to Selkirk, making lifelong friends wherever they were. Bob and Betty loved to socialize and play cards with brothers and sisters from both sides of their family and considered themselves lucky to have siblings who felt more like friends.

In 1989 the Bank of Montreal moved the family to Alberta. Bob worked hard and retired at 60 to spend time travelling with his wife. They went to New Zealand many times to visit their daughters' family, and enjoyed trips to Australia, Hong Kong, and Hawaii to name a few. They enjoyed many winters in Arizona at Happy Trails where they golfed and made great friends. While in Arizona Bob was bitten by the pickleball bug and took great joy in teaching the game to anyone who was interested, including his daughters, grandchildren, and many Drumhellerites.

Volunteering was important to Bob, he was a member of the board at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and active in Rotary for over 30 years, serving twice as President.

Nothing made Bob prouder than his children and grandchildren. He was kind, supportive, and encouraging often ending a conversation with an enthusiastic, “go for it”. He was blessed to meet his first great-granddaughter just over a year ago, whenever they were together her bright smile was rivaled only by his own. Millie brought Bob pure joy. 

Bob was a man of faith which remained a guiding force until the very end. Bob will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Predeceased by his parents and siblings, Bob is survived by his loving wife Betty, daughters Leanna (Rob) and Kristine (Stewart), grandchildren Matthew (Jocelyne), Joshua, Brooke-Lynn, Abigail, and Zoe, and great granddaughter Amelia. 

A special thanks to friends and the congregation of Grace Lutheran for prayers, visits and meals. Thank you to Pastor Martin for coming to the house and the hospital, and to Home Care and the nurses who made his last days comfortable.

The funeral will be held at Grace Lutheran Church (620 2nd Avenue West, Drumheller) at 2 pm on Saturday, December 6, with a luncheon downstairs to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Melanoma Canada. 1-877-560-8035 ext. 109-Joanne, www.melanomacanada.ca

Please do not order flowers off this site, use your local florist.  Thank you