ROBERT (BOB) JAMES VOLLRATH

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ROBERT (BOB) JAMES VOLLRATH

Bob passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on July 29, 2025. A witness to nearly a century of change, he lived a life with quiet wisdom, deep resilience, and steady grace.

Born to parents Hilda (née Ridley) and Charles, Bob was raised in Winnipeg. He served proudly in the Canadian military during the Second World War, though was never called to combat. He returned home after the war and built a long and respected career with the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission.

Bob was married to Mary (née McIvor), the love of his life, for 58 years until her passing in 2017. Together with their core group of friends, they shared a love of entertaining and travel - basement parties dancing to their favourites like Engelbert and Abba and trips to Vegas, Branson, and Florida are fond memories. They lovingly raised their two daughters in Fort Rouge, supporting them fully and completely in anything they chose to try. They enjoyed summers camping, road trips out west and many Saturday nights playing cards around a kitchen table, often in the company of Mary’s sisters and their families.

In later years, Bob continued to explore the world, with cruises along the Danube and to Alaska among the most memorable. He was a proud grandfather to three grandsons, who adored his gentle spirit, generosity, and uncanny luck at cards - his royal flush on a cruise ship slot machine remains legendary. Breakfasts, buddy burgers, watching old war movies, and chats about Hondas were treasured times with Grandpa.

Bob remained sharp and engaged throughout his life. A lover of the big band era, hearing the croon of Sinatra or the swing of Benny Goodman always brought a smile to his face. While Bob did curl, his passion was golf. He was known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of every aspect of the game and loved offering tips on the proper fundamentals of the grip and swing. In his later years at Concordia Village, he was a loyal Tuesday morning trivia player, a weekly ritual he thoroughly enjoyed and rarely missed. Another ritual close to his heart was daily happy hour with his dear friend Jack McTaggart and his son Roy where discussions of the news of the day and past times were shared over snacks and a drink.

His was a quiet life - not one that made headlines, but one that left lasting marks on the hearts of those who knew him. Bob was a man of quiet conviction - patient, supportive, and always just where you needed him. He had a gift for listening, for knowing when to speak, and for making others feel heard.

Bob will be greatly missed by his daughters, Charlene and Tannis; his grandsons, Dustin Furtado, Evan Catania and Owen Catania; sisters-in-law Dorothy Sturtevant and Beverly Grabowecky, nieces, nephews, and his Concordia Village community of friends.

At Bob’s request, a private family gathering will be held. The family invites you to turn on a big band tune, answer a trivia question, or sit quietly with someone you love and think of him. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Marymound (www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/9844).

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations

204-421-5501

Tributes: EthicalDeathCare.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2025