Robert John Hackl

Robert was born to John and Sophie Hackl in Cudworth, Saskatchewan on July 7, 1927 and grew up on the family farm near Middle Lake, Saskatchewan. He met and fell in love with Polly (Pauline) Folk when her family moved to Middle Lake to open a grocery store. Robert was a true gentleman who always conducted himself with dignity, class and respect. He stated that he wanted to marry Polly after their first date and so they began their life together on October 8, 1947. Thereafter, they celebrated more than 76 years together, had five children and in 1964, the family moved to Saskatoon.

As an overall excellent athlete, Robert began playing baseball at the age of 17 and was the catcher and occasionally first baseman with the Middle Lake men’s baseball team. While farming, he travelled with his family to sports days and ball tournaments competing with teams in nearby towns throughout the summers. After moving to Saskatoon, he took up golf and spent many years competing in the Senior Men’s Lobstick in Waskesiu and the Men’s Northern Amateur golf tournaments in Prince Albert while he and Polly summered at Emma Lake. Robert and Polly loved golf and they each recorded a “Hole In One” on the 4th hole of Emma Lake Golf Course where they were members for many years. Robert also loved hockey and he and Polly never missed their son’s games where they met a large group of parents who turned out to be lifelong friends. He continued to follow baseball and hockey for the rest of his life.

Music, singing and dancing were also a big part of Robert’s life and during parties and family gatherings (of which there were many) he was often called upon to belt out his rendition of “Blue Spanish Eyes” and “Delilah”. Robert was a proud, soft-spoken, witty man who kept up with current events and was always interested in discussing the world around him. He quietly held an amazing amount of emotion in his heart for friends and family and never forgot a beautiful daughter, baby Hackl, who passed away at birth in 1962. The enduring love affair between Robert and Polly was obvious to all who knew them but especially to his children.

Robert is survived by his wife Polly, five children: Elaine Martin, Sandra Boot (Bruce Stroud), Garth Hackl (Sheryl Dwernychuk), Pat Hutchinson (Terry), and Janice Waynert (Bruce), ten grandchildren: Sherry Labelle (Kevin), Tara Jennings (Guy), Michelle Pickard (Brent), Eric and Ethan Hackl, Kaelyn Hackl (Danny Salamanchuk), Carissa, Taylor, Dylan and Caebrie Waynert, and seven great grandchildren: Sydney and Andrew Labelle, Hannah and Matt Jennings, Brayden and Emma Pickard, and Owen Salamanchuk. Robert is also survived by two beloved brothers-in-law, Dan Folk and Lloyd Folk of Kamloops, BC with whom he maintained a very close relationship throughout his life.

Robert was loved more than words could ever express and our family wishes to give enormous thanks to the staff at Samaritan Place in Saskatoon who not only cared for him, but each day showed their love and respect. A Celebration of Robert’s Life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Derryl Hildebrandt