Robert (Bob) Keys

Bob was the youngest of four children born in Balcarres to Harold and Hazel Keys.

He was predeceased by his wife Jean; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Alvin and Norma Keys, Lawrence and Frances Keys and brother-in-law John Sharp. Bob’s surviving sister Bea Sharp will miss him.

Bob spent most of his life in the Balcarres and Katepwa areas moving to Regina only when health issues made it difficult to remain. He began work on the farm at a young age and then worked for many years in the parts department at the Greenfield Motors in Balcarres. While working at Greenfield’s he decided to establish his own insurance business, an SGI agency and later added Wawanesa Insurance. He loved his visits to the country to visit with farmers and help them with their insurance needs. Part of the business was selling license plates, there were many nights that he would go back to the office after hours to renew plates or driver’s licenses for someone who had forgotten to renew and needed them to continue to drive.

Bob married Jean Milburn in 1950 and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary before Jean passed away in 2021. They had two daughters, Suzanne and Sherilyn. For many years, they spent their summers at Katepwa and winters in Arizona, developing many friendships along the way. Bob loved to golf and did so whenever he could.

Bob is survived by Suzanne (Rick) Watson and Sherilyn (Kevin) Fenwick; four grandchildren: Jackie (Neil) Watson Diacon, Rob Watson, Adam (Sheena) Fenwick and Aaron (Terri) Fenwick; six great-grandchildren: Brayden and Kennedy Diacon, Owen and Shaelyn Fenwick and Hudson and Lincoln Fenwick.

Bob will be remembered for his many sayings such as “How about that” and “Tickadeeboo”, always said with a smile; his love of family and the importance of friendships. He was able to strike up a conversation with anyone.

Bob will be interred at a later date at a private family service in the Anglican Church Cemetery overlooking Katepwa Lake in the Qu’Appelle Valley that he so loved.