Mr. Robert "Bob" George Lothian

Our beloved Husband, Father and Papa left us far too soon, passing on to his next great adventure (and we imagine the loving arms of his grandson Drew) on December 30 at the age of 82. Bob was the loving and devoted husband of Jean, father to Lori, Jane and Jeff, father-in-law to Tom, Doug and Wendy, Papa to Jonathon, Drew, Branton, Mackenzie, and Owen and special Uncle to Betty Lou and David. Bob will be missed by his extended family including brother-in-law Bruce, sisters-in-law Jocelyn and Judy and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was born in Pipestone Manitoba to the second generation of Prairie settlers. He was a late addition to a family of five daughters and thus began life swaddled in the attention of his thrilled parents and doting older sisters. This set the stage for a life lived with confidence, creativity, courage, and compassion.

Bob was a true Renaissance man. Blessed with many talents and the intelligence and drive to match, he also had the great good fortune of finding and marrying his soul mate Jean. Bob followed his heart and his dreams all through his life. Always ahead of the curve, he embraced challenges and change and this attitude freed him to follow many paths and explore many passions.

Bob’s career reflected this intensity. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a business executive, consultant and entrepreneur, and was very, very touched by the Robert Lothian Human Resource Award established two years ago in his honor by a former mentoree. Without a doubt his favorite stop was his last, as Executive Director for the University Medical Group. Bob cared very much for his ‘Docs’, and enjoyed every minute of his 19 years innovating on their behalf.

His personal interests were many and varied over the years. He was an extraordinary musician. With a repertoire of instruments which included accordion, guitar, ukulele, piano, organ, and flute, he was self-taught and played by ear, never learning to read even one note of music.

His enthusiasm for projects is the stuff of family legend. Never a patient man, once Bob decided on a venture, look out and stand aside! For many years wooden boats were a passion. Most he found on junk piles and restored to former glory. Many happy hours were spent with his partners in crime in the West Hawk Lake Wooden Boat Club.

Remarkably competent with tools, he would tackle any building project, often drafting relatives, children, grandchildren and the occasional professional to assist with the task. Renovations large and small to the cottage were a specialty, and the Sauna he designed and built at the Lake in 1976 is still providing hours of enjoyment for the family and two generations of lake friends.

Endlessly creative, Bob found his true artistic calling in wood carving, and it became a real focus in his retirement years. He spent many happy hours honing his craft with comrades in his wood carving group in Tucson, AZ where he and Jean wintered for many years. His beautiful, whimsical bark carvings are a source of pleasure and lasting legacy for many friends and family.

Bob (and Jean) walked through life with open arms, welcoming every opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Charismatic, kind and respectful, they brought a lot of pleasure to people in their everyday interactions, and made new friends wherever they went. Once a friend, always a friend and Bob will be missed by the many he and Jean made all through the years.

Bob was a wonderful father and, long before it was fashionable or in any way expected, loved spending time with his kids. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Bob orchestrated the family’s life around doing things together. At one point this meant owning 3 ponies and a horse for Bob, no small sacrifice given that Bob was afraid of horses.

But if Bob had many passions in life his greatest one was Jean. If they didn’t always start out on the same page with some project or venture, they somehow always ended up there. Sweethearts to the end, they loved to dance, spend time with their wonderful friends from home and away, and watch British TV.

Most treasured was the time with their family. Everyone’s happy place is the cottage at West Hawk Lake, and the best times of all are the hours spent together at the dining room table, Papa always presiding over the laughter, debates, chaos and antics from the head of the table. Shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, he determined to spend his last days writing a book recording the family history at the Lake. Mission accomplished, he went on to live another two years, and we were all blessed to have celebrated Bob and Jean’s 60th wedding anniversary at the Cottage this September.

We love you Dad! We will carry your love in our hearts and cherish your life lessons always.

Bob and the family are very grateful to the many wonderful people who provided such excellent care to Bob throughout his cancer journey. A special thank you to Doctor Czaykowski, Denise from Cancer Care Manitoba and the talented and compassionate team on 3 East Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre for helping Bob navigate this final challenge with grace, good humor and dignity.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in Bob’s honor to the 3E Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre Foundation, One Morley Avenue, R3L 2P4 or the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities Foundation, 582 Sherbrook Street, R3A 1M5.