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ROBERT MILNE HARBOTTLE
Born: Aug 22, 1942
Date of Passing: Jan 11, 2024
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
ROBERT MILNE HARBOTTLE
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Robert Milne Harbottle on January 11, 2024, at the St. Boniface Hospital.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Wendy; his sons, Kevin (Janet), Shaun (Jeanette), and Lorne (Kristine); grandchildren, Emma, Ty, Zoe, Bree, Baylee, Josh, and Calee; brother Garry (Gail) and nieces, Suzanne (Jason) and Sheri (Sean).
He was predeceased by his parents, Milne and Edna Harbottle.
Bob grew up in the Kirkfield Park area attending Kirkfield Park school. Bob’s parents, Milne and Edna, purchased Crescent Beach Cottages in 1958 and thus began Bob’s lifelong love of West Hawk Lake. While his family moved to West Hawk, Bob chose to stay in Winnipeg to complete his high school at Lincoln High and Westwood Collegiate by staying with his aunt and uncle. On the weekends he would hitch a ride to West Hawk with delivery drivers headed out to the Whiteshell. After graduation, Bob lived in West Hawk and began working for the Forestry department and then in the next season the Fisheries Departments. He loved to tell tales of about stocking fish throughout the province and how he worked with various characters in the Whiteshell.
In 1960 he met the love of his life, Wendy, and they were married in 1963.
Bob began his Industrial Arts teaching career at John Henderson in East Kildonan. In 1965, he started taking summer school at the University of North Dakota while he continued to teach during the school year at John Taylor and then Glenlawn Collegiate. After four summers, he graduated in 1971 from UND with his Industrial Arts Teaching Degree. He also added to this degree by attending MITT for an upgrade in electronics and was extremely proud of his 32-year teaching career.
In 1966, Bob and Wendy moved to St. Vital where he was active in the community at the St. Vital Curling Club, a leader with the 3rd Winnipeg Cubs and Scouts, and a coach at Norberry Community Club. Many friends will remember his lengthy position as a co-director of the cubs and scouts Klondike Derby as they joined him to support this annual event.
Bob and Wendy raised the three boys on Wakefield Bay and then, in 1990, he and Wendy took on the building of their dream home on Forbes Road. Summers were spent out at West Hawk where he had built his cottage on the rock overlooking the lake. He loved the lake life adventures including slalom waterskiing and leading many boating adventures on Lake of The Woods with friends.
His retirement from teaching allowed him to spend more time at his favourite place in the world, his cottage at West Hawk Lake. Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to be active led him to numerous ventures that included selling firewood, installing satellites, building renovations, and volunteering at Meteor Fest. He was passionate about the fact that West Hawk Lake was created by a meteor. To share this unique geological history, he designed and enlisted the help of family and friends to build the kiosk at Crescent Beach. Despite his active retirement, he always found time to get down to the dock where he enjoyed basking in the sun with a cool drink watching and playing with his grandkids.
Retirement also meant Bob and Wendy could live out their travel dreams. House sitting on Vancouver Island, visiting family in Australia (twice), sailing the BVI, 5th wheeling throughout the United States, Val Vista trailer park in Mesa, and Puerto Vallarta were just some of the highlights.
Above it all, he would tell anyone who would listen how proud he was of his family and all their accomplishments.
In lieu of flowers, if friends wish, they can remember Bob with a donation to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, or a charity of their choice.
A heartfelt thank you to the caring and hardworking staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their efforts and support.
To remember Bob, the family will be hosting a come-and-go gathering on Sunday, January 28, 2024, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Norberry Community Club - 26 Molgat Avenue.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2024, Jan 20, 2024
Condolences & Memories (13 entries)
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Wendy, I am so very sorry for your loss. Bree just told me about Bob's passing, at the ice cream store when I mentioned to her how much I appreciated the West Hawk Lake historical pamphlet that her Grampa had created. (Didn't realize that the Crescent kiosk was also his legacy). I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing, but also am pleased to learn that, after retiring from your curio/antique business at the CBC garage, you and Bob were able to cram in so much life and adventure in your travels and at the Lake he loved. The old satellite dish antenna that Bob worked on is still in the bush at our cabin. I will toast to Bob by the dish, for his zest for life and kind service to so many. - Posted by: Carl Kummen (family friend from West Hawk & Norwood) on: Jul 03, 2024
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I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. A faithful husband. A loving father. A teacher of teachers. It was seen by all who knew him. Genesis 3:19 ...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. - Posted by: G. Reimer (Teaching colleague and friend) on: Jan 27, 2024
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I was a student of Mr. Harbottle in the mid '70s at Glenlawn Collegiate. He was such an engaging and entertaining man (in the eyes of a young teenager). Calculators were in their infancy, and very expensive at that time. In his electronics class he had us adding buttons, hence functions, to the basic calculators. This really sparked my interest and helped steer my career choices. I remember him fondly. Rest in peace, Mr. Harbottle - Posted by: Richard Eaton (Former student) on: Jan 26, 2024
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My deepest condolences Wendy and family. I enjoyed our visits at the pool at Bayview Grand and have missed you both these past few years. After reading Bob’s obituary I thought what a full and accomplished life. So much more than a lot of people. The grief journey is such a hard one but somehow we survive it. My thoughts are with you. - Posted by: Cathy Luciw (Puerto Vallarta friend ) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Deepest condolences to the Harbottle family. Enjoyed the times talking to Bob at the Community Club at Falcon or Lumber 1. Always had time for a couple moments. - Posted by: Vic and Chris Basarowich (Lake friend) on: Jan 20, 2024
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So sorry Wendy and family for your horrific loss. Blessed to have fond memories of our fun times together. You will find strength to cope with your journey ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers and are loved. Love Elaine - Posted by: Elaine Bennett (Friend) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Bob and I knew each other for over 30 years. As a fellow cottager at West Hawk Lake I spent many wonderful times with him especially the boat trips on Lake of the Woods or playing cards at his cottage. Bob was an avid supporter of everything to do with West Hawk. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Wendy and the entire family. Rick Ford - Posted by: Richard Ford (Friend) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Since 1958, 4 generations of Bob's family have known 4 generations of my family and 3 generations of my wife's family, the focal point being West Hawk Lake. I first got to know Bob and Wendy in the '70's when I worked summers for his folks at the resort. Bob would be in and out of the resort and Wendy would come in on many turnover days and help with the big cleanup. Over the yrs I saw how Bob could be very passionate abt various issues. Whether I agreed or disagreed - or a mix of both at times! - on the issue of the day, I admired the passion that drove him. Many times you could run into each other and chew the fat about any number of things of interest and share a laugh along the way. Losing a beloved family member is a heartbreaking part of life and Janice and I would like to share our condolences with you Wendy, sons Kevin, Shaun, Lorne, brother Gary and all of your families at this difficult time. God Bless. - Posted by: Darrell/Janice Kinley (family friends) on: Jan 20, 2024
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We were very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We haven’t seen Bob for a long time but remember him as a great, friendly guy. Memories go back a long way to Kirkfield Park School when we lived “in the boonies”. We had a lot of fun in those days. Bob led a full and productive life and he and Wendy made a great couple. He will be sorely missed by family and friends. Rest in Peace, Bob. Sincere condolences to Wendy and Family. Wayne and Carol Guicheret (nee Belcher). - Posted by: Wayne and Carol Guicheret (nee Belcher) (Friends) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Was so surprised and sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. First met at Dakota Collegiate when I was hired to teach electronics in his shop when he moved to the new shop at Glenlawn. He was a mentor and friend. He was a fun member of the close knit Industrial Arts staff and will be remembered fondly. Condolences to Wendy and family. - Posted by: Dan Ruppel (Colleague ) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Wendy! Ron and I send our condolences to you and your family. We were so saddened to hear of his passing. We had so many good times with him in PV and at your cottage. Bob was a a wonderful person who was loved by many and he will be missed. Sorry we won’t be able to be at the gathering, but he is in our thought and prayers. Ron and Laurayne - Posted by: Ron and Laurayne Rusak (Friends) on: Jan 20, 2024
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Mr Harbottle taught me Electronics at Glenlawn Collegiate almost 40 years ago and I can still close my eyes and remember his deep laugh and his ability to connect with a roomful of teenage boys. Remarkably, just a week before reading of his passing a few high school buddies of mine were reminiscing about the influential teachers along the way and Mr Harbottle came up often as the Teacher that understood the importance of connecting with his students by his stories and not “just mailing it in”. Often his classes broke down to life discussions and not electronics and I don’t know if he failed anyone as he found a way to find the best in any student. When the door was shut the room became his inner sanctum of us shooting the breeze and working on electronics which was mostly guys listening to Judas Priest on the “shop” stereo.” Ok guys turn it down don’t want to get in trouble with the Textiles girls next door”. And we always did turn it down. I remember one instance when 20 of us boys were in his Electronics Lab sitting on those tall stools and each student had a electric receptacle in front of him and one kid named Jeff took a Wrigleys gum aluminum wrapper and folded it into a letter “U” and was goofing around and placed it inside and blew him off his chair and a few kids beside him. Sparks went flying and smoke filled the room and all the kids started to laugh and so did Bob!!!!!! Then he asked all the boys to spread the smoke away and then he took chalk out and drew the circle on the chalkboard and explained “Ohms Law” still laughing. And he then told Jeff that gum wrappers are in fact conductors and not be a doofus in the future. Glad to see he lived a good life with family and loved ones and how much “lake life” meant to him as it does for me. As I am at the cabin now I will have a little drink to him as the sun goes down thinking of him. Condolences to his family. - Posted by: Darren Ingleson (Glenlawn Collegiate Electronics Student) on: Jan 20, 2024
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I remember Mr Harbottle from when I went to Glenlawn. He was one of my favorite teachers. He was always very nice to me. Condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Valerie Olafson (Former student of his at Glenlawn) on: Jan 20, 2024