Robert Roman Heise

September 17, 1934 - January 5, 2014

Robert Roman Heise (Bob) went home to his Lord and Saviour on January 5, 2014.  He will be dearly missed by his wife Vina (MacRae) and all those whose lives he touched.  Bob was born on September 17, 1934 to Mike and Emilia Heise on a farm in the Haultain district of Saskatchewan. His older brothers Bill, Herman and Walter and younger sister Betty all adored his gentle but strong spirit.  He started his farming career in the Haultain District and then in 1957 moved to the Glenmaur area of Blucher District where he farmed with his brothers Bill and Walter and in later years his nephew David till Bob retired from farming in 1997.  Bill’s children (Karen, David and Elaine) and Betty’s children (Tim, Jeff and Linda) spent many happy hours with Bob and Walter on that farm.  Bob loved farming with his brothers and so appreciated his sister-in-law Shirley would make their meals and his favorite place to enjoy them was on the back of a half-ton at harvest time.  On November 12, 1977 Bob married his square-dancing sweetheart Vina MacRae and they lived in Saskatoon.  They continued square-dancing for many years and enjoyed fishing trips and many vacations to visit Betty and her family in British Columbia or other relatives throughout Saskatchewan and Canada.  Bob stopped traveling in later years so was appreciative that Betty’s husband Lorne brought her back for one more visit to Saskatchewan in 2008 and nephew Tim traveled back to help when there was funerals, plus for Bob’s last day.  Bob was also very active at Faith Lutheran Church as a Sunday School teacher for many years, a church elder, sang in many different choirs and faithfully visited the shut-ins and those in hospital. Bob also enjoyed visiting with friends in their homes or coffee gatherings at the mall.   In later years he enjoyed many family gatherings with his special Aunt Marie, cousin Louise and Jon and brother Bill and Shirley and their children/grandchildren and brother Walter and wife Annette.  Bob and Vina visited many Heise/Hartz relatives over the years and Bob kept in contact with many in later years by phone.  Bob and Vina started hosting Heise Family reunions in early years and continued to be the place where family gathered for Christmas Eve.  He also enjoyed visiting with Vina’s MacRae relatives – those still living - brother Les (Darlene), sisters Dorothy, Stella and Birdie (Bill) and all the MacRae family nieces and nephews.  Bob spent many hours going to the sporting events with Elaine’s husband  Marty to watch the Willick children (Justin, Tegan, Layton and David) play hockey, soccer or going to pick up his great nephews Jared and Aaron Heise from Clavet school and bringing them to stay with their papa Bill and grandma Shirley.  So Bob continued to help each generation stay connected and  enjoyed being part of their lives, whether it was their sports or musical endeavors or simple things like taking them on trips to Burger King or just for a drive hauling something in his ”antique” half-ton.  Friends and family meant the world to Bob and he dedicated much of his life to making a difference for them.  Bob believed and appreciated angels unaware who impacted his life and he tried to do the same for others.  The nurses and doctors on Ward 6100 at RUH were special “angels unaware” in his end days.  But most of all Bob loved the Lord and tried to exemplify the love of Jesus in all that he did and was so thankful to now be going home to heaven free of earthly pain and sorrow.  His favorite saying “we need to build bridges not walls within all that we do” was a motto he lived by.  Bob wished God’s peace for everyone and so appreciated the blessings of family and friendship. Memorial donations may be made out to Faith Lutheran Church or Lutheran Care Society (Hospital Chaplaincy) PO Box 23019, Saskatoon, SK  S7J 5H3. A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday January 10th at Faith Lutheran Church (2801 Arlington Avenue) with Pastor Rudy Pastucha presiding. Arrangements in care of John Schachtel & Lisa Ruf - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES (978-5200)