Robert "Bob" John Whiteside
June 29th, 2017
WHITESIDE, Robert John
Robert John (Bob) Whiteside passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at Aspen Lodge in Didsbury, Alberta after a long battle with Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (dementia). Bob was born on June 22, 1942 in Claresholm, Alberta. He grew up in the town of Turner Valley and then made his way North to Didsbury and married Sandy Gordon in 1967. After living on the Tuggle place west of town, they built a home of their own beside the old Westcott School.
Bob obtained his Instrumentation ticket from SAIT and promptly followed his father’s footsteps by working in the oil patch. He spent many years with Canadian Superior at the Harmattan Gas Plant and then Shell Oil, and continued to work within the oil and gas industry in and around the Didsbury / Carstairs area his whole life. He always had a great passion for the western way of life, enjoying many trips “out west” into the mountains, riding horses whenever he could. The kids will cherish these memories of riding on horseback with their father and his friends throughout the years.
He will be fondly remembered for his stories, jokes, generous heart, and larger than life personality. He loved his family, friends, horses, and the outdoors. Bob will be lovingly remembered by his three children, Scott (Mandy, Maxine, and Clayton), Shawna (Dean) and Darcy (Morgan, Chet and Saige) and an extended community of family and friends. He was predeceased by his father, James Whiteside; mother, Nellie Whiteside (Cairns); sister, Carol Johnson; and brother-in-law, Ronald Johnson.
A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at the Cremona Hotel Bar, Cremona, AB on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 2:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Aspen Lodge, PO Box 2290, Didsbury, Alberta, T0M 0W0 where Bob received amazing care during the last years of his life.
Messages:
My heartfelt condolences to all of Bob's family and friends. I first met Bob back in the mid 80's when I worked for Shell in the Crossfield field. I thought the world of Bob and spent many many hours working and having fun with him and yes Bob was one of the few that made it possible to do both at the same time! To this day I relate Bob stories to the youngsters at work very often and always credit him with the 'western wisdom' he passed on to others. I used a Bob quote at my Father's 80th birthday in Olds to point out my Dad's mechanical abilities. I said "my Dad is like an old instrumentation Buddy of mine Bob Whiteside that always said there are only two things I can't fix...a broken heart and the crack of dawn". Bob made an impression on every single person he met and will be sorely missed. I am sorry to say I'm away at work or I'd be in Cremona for his memorial, no question. I am glad our trails crossed.
Bob is my cousin, we reconnected for a period of time some years ago and had some good times together. We would like to extend our condolences to Bob's entire family, he will be missed all who knew him, he was a great guy with a heart of gold. Thanks to Scott & Amanda for contacting us.
My sincere sympathies to you Sandy and Shawna and to your extended family.