Bob (Robert) John Dyck – November 4, 1959 – January 14, 2024.
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Bob (Robert) Dyck of Hepburn, SK on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 64 years of age.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sarah; children: Mandy, Ryan (Shantel), and Kate (Andrew); beloved granddaughter Birdie; brother Brian (Robin) and nephew Jack; as well as numerous relatives, neighbours and friends.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Iona Dyck; his infant sister; and his dear cousin and best-friend Len Thiessen.
Bob was born in Saskatoon, SK where he lived until moving onto the family farm with his parents at a young age. In the early days, they had a small dairy farm, where it was his job to feed the calves. Over the years, with hard work and sacrifice, the family farm grew to include livestock and grain. Bob loved his cattle, and cared for them with a tender hand, especially his orphaned calves.
Bob and his brother Brian worked the family farm alongside their dad Henry; with meals, support and late-night ride-alongs provided by Iona, Sarah and the kids; until Henry’s passing. The two brothers farmed together ever since. Bob truly loved the land; a farmer through and through. He was so grateful to get “one last harvest,” despite his illness.
Bob graduated from Hepburn School in 1978. He was extremely athletic and played almost any sport available to him, with a particular love for fastball. He was ‘one hell of a bowler’ and had boxes of trophies to prove it! He rarely missed a world series game or Sunday night football, and he started every day with news, weather and sports highlights. Over the years, he enjoyed giving back to his community, through volunteer firefighting, generous charitable donations, arena caretaking and participating in parades and events like Harvest for Kids.
Bob met the love of his life, Sarah, his ‘blondie’ in 1993, and they were married in a trend-setting destination wedding in Jamaica in 1995. They designed and built their dream home — full of love, with enough room for the kids — where they hosted many New Years Eve parties with dining room dancing, kitchen island ‘spezeare-ing’ and early-morning drawn-out goodbyes. Over the years they built a beautiful yard that they loved caring for together — him on the mower, her tending her flowers, always a kitty or two nearby.
Bob was magnetic; he drew everyone in with his shining blue eyes, warm smile and big heart. His laugh was pure, contagious and uplifting. He truly had a gift for making you feel at ease. He was a comfort to be around, thoughtful and caring; and had an incredible sense of humour. He would do almost anything for a friend, neighbour (or stranger) in need, and he showed his love through incredible acts of kindness.
Bob had a remarkable work ethic. When he wasn’t working, he always had a project on the go and was very resourceful, recycling and welding old farm equipment and tools into bird feeders, or “hose holder-uppers” for Sarah’s garden, or anything that anyone needed. In recent years, he had discovered a love of woodworking, building his loved ones amazing pieces of furniture and the most beautiful bird houses. He was so proud of his kids — his ‘Bayba’, ‘Bud’, and ‘Tootse’ — and was never afraid to tell us how much he loved us, often with a teary eye and a firm leg squeeze.
In our saddest moments, our prayers were answered and Bob was able to pass peacefully with the love of his family around him, in the capable caring hands of the doctors, nurses and CCAs at St. Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit. While we are left in great sorrow here on earth, we take solace knowing he is with God. He has gone far too soon and will be so dearly missed.
A viewing was held on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Dalmeny Funeral Home and the Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Hepburn MB Church, with Reverend Ralph Gliege officiating. To leave condolences and to watch the live stream, please visit Bob’s obituary at www.dalmenyfuneralhome.ca
Memorial donations can be made to St. Paul’s Palliative Care Unit (St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care, 1702 20th Street West, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7M 0Z9); or STARS Air Ambulance (STARS Donations, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570 Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7).
All funeral arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.