Robert John Lawrence

  “Anything is possible.” That is what Robert (Bob) John Lawrence believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Bob thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Bob was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

His parents were Hubert and Marion Lawrence. Bob was raised in Moneteville, ON. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Bob could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Bob's family relationships. He was raised with three brothers and one sister. He had two older brothers, David and Marshall, a younger brother, Doug and an older sister, Gaye. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, he was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, Bob could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. He loved playing outdoors with his brothers and friends. He was a Boy Scout. In his spare time he loved to invent things.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Bob enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. He was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Bruce Mines High School in 1961. His favorite class in high school was science. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was his mother, Marion.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Bob performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Waterloo Lutheran University. His favourite course was Biology.

Bob was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends' activities and interests, Bob was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Robert to be very stimulating company. Bob's humour and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, his best friends were Dwight and Gary Fryer. He was a special friend to Ted Windle.

Bob attended London College of Bible and Missions (now Tyndale Bible College) for three years where he met the love of his life. On May 21, 1966 Bob exchanged wedding vows with Patricia Ann Snider at Waterloo Lutheran University Chapel in Waterloo, ON. He was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. He was very perceptive in recognizing others' feelings, especially regarding Pat's.

Bob's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. He was blessed with four children, two sons, Brad and Craig, two daughters, Susan and Michelle. They were also blessed with thirteen grandchildren: Alicia, Luke, Devin, Bryce, Isaac, Austin, Sarah, Francesco, Rachel, Cassidy, Macey, Jenna and James. Someone who was quick to laugh, Bob found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

As a born inventor, Bob was definitely in his element in the classroom and nursery business. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. He was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Bob was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to others. His primary occupation was high school teacher. He was employed for 18 years in teaching and for 25 years he was the owner of a nursery / garden centre, Lawrence's Springwater Farms. He always made an effort to be a team player, doing whatever was necessary in order to get the job done.

Bob's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since he was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Bob simply couldn't be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were singing solos, singing in cantatas, playing games, making home videos, building homes and writing his memoirs for his grandchildren to enjoy.

Bob's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well. He was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favourite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Hockey! Hockey! Hockey! Toronto Maples Leafs and the Soo Greyhounds.

Bob was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community. Politically, Bob was a Johnson Township Councillor for a number of years.

Bob was faithfully dedicated to serving his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for 37 years. During that time, he was a Deacon and Treasurer.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Bob. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for him to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge and experiences. Favourite vacations included Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, the Amazon, 27 day Odyssey to Asia Cruise, Egypt, Israel, Thailand, China, Hawaii, and a road trip to Lake Powell.

Bob was not a lover of animals but he cherished one pet, Bo, a black labrador for fifteen years.

Even while in retirement, Bob never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 2005, his new life involved moving into the retirement home which he built on beautiful Birch Point overlooking Lake George. In retirement, he found added pleasure in traveling, faithfully serving his church family and playing games with friends and family. Even in retirement, he continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances.

Bob passed away suddenly on October 20, 2008 at home. He fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Pat; four children Brad (Maxine), Susan (Frank), Michelle (Paul), Craig (Stacey) and thirteen grandchildren. Services were held at Arthur Funeral Home. Bob was laid to rest in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Desbarats, ON.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Bob. He met the words “it can't be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. He was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For him, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Robert John Lawrence, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

Bob will truly be missed by his wife and family and his many friends. His earthly journey is over and he is singing praises to his precious Saviour in his eternal home.