Bob Smart

In Loving Memory of
Robert J.
“Bob” Smart
age 92
beloved husband of the late Shirley Smart
beloved dad to Julie, Jim, Susan and Ken

Died
May 28, 2019
Brandon Regional Health Centre
Brandon, Manitoba

Memorial Service
 Saturday, June 1, 2019
Waskada United Church
Waskada, Manitoba 
2:00 p.m.

Interment ~ Waskada Cemetery at a later date.

Donations in memory of Bob may be made 
to a charity of one’s choice.

Once upon a time a young farmer and a young schoolteacher met, and a love story blossomed! In 1952, Shirley was a 21 year old from London, Ontario, who came out west to Winnipeg by train with her teacher's certificate in hand. Staying with her uncle, he helped her find her first teaching position in a one room schoolhouse northwest of Waskada. 

Bob was a 25 year old cattle and grain farmer. He lived 6 miles south of the school with his younger brother Franklin, housekeeper Mrs. Hil1, and her young son. Hearing of a pretty new school teacher down the road, he decided to attend the Verona School Spring Dance, and 6 months later wedding bells rang in Waskada on October 15, 1952.
 
Mom and Dad started their new life progressively farming where his grandfather had homesteaded on 22-1-26W1. The first of four children soon arrived the following year in October l953 and by 1957 their family was complete. The cattle were sold and a better house was purchased in Waskada where we lived during the winter months, moving back to the old farmhouse each spring in preparation of planting the new crop. 

Travel was a large part of their lives. As kids we were loaded in the car for summer vacations to meet up with Mom's family at various locations in Ontario. Those were good times. Later, Mesa, Arizona became their winter haven for more than 20 years. They loved golfing and socializing with their many friends, and both Mom and Dad were each eventually awarded with hole-in-one trophies! 

Music was always in our home. We have many memories of coming home after school to the sound of Mom playing the piano and singing. Dad enjoyed music as well, surprising us with piano skills in his later years which we never knew he had. We would often hear Dad singing as he was waltzing Mom around the kitchen floor. Square dancing with their friends in neighboring communities was also enjoyed. 

Mom was always keeping busy. As we were growing up we remember her working at the important necessities of being a mother and housewife back then such as sewing clothes, cooking, and gardening. As life went on she made time to pursue sketching, painting, writing and publishing a Smart history book. She wrote lots of poetry (of which one was printed in the "Western Producer" newspaper and another in the book "Manitoba Myraid"), as well as a book full of humorous verses on most members of her extended families. We also marvel at her many short stories and her book of one-liners she amassed. 

Dad was a great sports enthusiast. In his younger years he was a good ball player. Many of our older friends mention his great baseball coaching to us. He also spoke often of horse racing in the communities with his beloved steed Ginger. But golfing was his real passion, ingrained by his father-in-law Norman back in the 50's. Besides sports, Dad also loved his farm work. He was always very progressive, always keeping on top of not just the latest farming practices but on top of technology in general. 
This inquisitiveness followed him and kept him sharp to the very end of his 92 year life. His computer skills were as good as or better than most. 
Christmas was a big time for our parents. They hosted a wonderful Christmas breakfast for about 60 years for as many as 50 family members and the occasional friends. There was always lots of excitement amongst the small children right up to the great grandparents! Often the large celebrations were repeated that day for the evening meal or else the New Years dinner 7 days later! 

Mom and Dads' lives were devoted to each other, their children and their grandchildren, their love and affection for each other was evident to all. 

Mom was born May 15, 193l in London, Ontario.
She passed away March 8, 2019 

Dad was born March 24, 1927 at his Waskada farm home. 2 months after living alone in his house, Dad went to be with our Mom on May 28, 2019 

Survived by daughter Julie (Cal) Gervin, son Jim (Sandy), daughter Susan Thom, son Ken (Kay), and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bob Smart, please visit our floral store.