Monday, June 15, 2015
Dear Karen, Terry, Polly Ann, Don and Connie,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. The last 8 weeks has been extremely tough on all of you caring, loving and losing a father, father-in-law and husband. Bob was and now would be, proud of the way you as a family pulled together, caring and loving him until the end. The pain of loss is something that none can escape, but you don’t have to go through it alone and know you can call us anytime and we will be there.
We have nothing but such wonderful memories of Bob and Karen, a friendship which spans over 43 years. Ron and Bob worked together at The Bay in Prince Albert and have been buddies ever since. I really got to know Bob well when we took a vacation together to Hawaii in the Spring of 1977. This was Bob's first "sun" trip ever outside Canada. That one trip started his and Karen's desire to get away from Canadian winters and as we all know, they then started winter travel every year to get away. However on that first trip we experienced many great happy hours, Karen and I attempting to whack down coconuts (while the guys watched), pool time and a memorable moment where I stretched saran wrap over the toilet waiting for Bob to go to the bathroom. He was such a good sport about it all, but promised 'revenge'. Over the years there were many other memorable moments, the Green Lake Lodge get together for The Bay Reunion, our trip to visit them in Lynn Lake, camping trips while living in Prince Albert and many visits back and forth ....while we lived in PA, Thompson and Winnipeg and of course our visits to them living in Green Lake, Prince Albert and Candle Lake.
Our last memories of Bob was just this last December, 6 months ago where we took a cruise together. It is ironic how we enjoyed with Bob and Karen their first winter/sun vacation and Bob's last winter/sun vacation. As always, we enjoyed lots of laughs, good food and good times. We will always treasure these wonderful memories with both Bob and Karen, over the last 43 years.
Bob lived life "large", being with family/friends, good food, good drinks and good times. We honor him and will continue to live our lives "large" as well. How wonderful it must be to leave this earth and have so many people just think good about you....that is how we feel about Bob.
Karen, our friendship is forever, Bob would want us to continue 'living life large' and we'll do that my dear friend. Our home and heart is always here, for you and your family. Rest in peace dear friend and we know you will be there to welcome us for 'happy hour', when we meet again....on the other side!!!!
Bob, I'll always cherish the great times we had in Prince Albert when we both worked at The Bay. The early "Morning Madness" sales at 6:00 a.m. and the wild Bay Day events. The weekend camping trips to lakes north of PA with our campers, canoes and friends. The weekend I'll never forget is the early morning canoe trip down the little Shell river, to the North Saskatchewan river and across to Prince Albert where we were picked up on the bridge by Dale Simpson. How we made it I am not sure!!
Bob, you will be missed but never forgotten my dear friend.
Lots of love always,
Ron and Claire Voldeng
