CAPTAIN ROBERT DOUGLAS SHINNIE

Condolences & Memories (16 entries)

• To the family of Bob Shinnie My sincerest sympathies to you all. I was stunned to find Bob’s name in the RAPCAN (Retired Airline Pilots of Canada) notice. Bob and I have had no contact for many years. I think the last time we met was at an Air Cadet reunion several years ago, but our friendship was a major component of earlier years and I have since followed his activities whenever possible. Just last week I was looking for his name in the list of attendees at a recent meeting of RAPCAN in Winnipeg and attributed its absence to the current brutal weather. Bob and I were best friends all through our school years, starting in Grade 1 at Greenway School, through General Wolfe and then DMCI. We did many things together from bicycling around Winnipeg to chasing girls. I remember being in his Alverstone Street home many times. Later, we were in Air Cadets together. Somehow Bob was eligible for Air Cadet flight training a year before I was but we flew together many times out of the Winnipeg Flying Club. One flight in particular stands out when we flew in a ski equipped Cessna 140 out to my uncle’s farm south of Neepawa one winter afternoon before Christmas in 1950. In the fading light, we were attracted to bright lights that turned out to be a big civic Christmas tree in Minnedosa and, not able find the Neepawa Airport out there, we had to make a precautionary landing in a field south of the town before darkness fell. As I recall, we were welcomed in for the night at a farmhouse. After digging out the next morning, we got back to our intended destination for a visit. In defense of Bob’s navigation, the Neepawa Airport beacon that we missed was on my side of the airplane. Bob’s flying career took off in a different direction to mine and I certainly hope he has recorded all the stories of his Northern Manitoba life. I was around the Winnipeg Flying Club for four more years before my first flying job with Canadian Pacific Air Lines. We both finished as pilots with Canadian Airlines in 1993. In an interesting twist, I began lawn bowling ten years ago and started umpiring just last year. I doubt if I will ever become a competitive bowler, certainly not at the National or even Provincial level, but I enjoy the game very much and the story of Bob’s success as a bowler only adds to my admiration of the varied aspects of his life. Rest in Peace, Bob. FLYING WEST * I hope there's a place, way up in the sky, Where pilots can go, when they have to die. A place where a guy can buy a cold beer For a friend and a comrade, whose memory is dear; A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread , Nor a management type would ere be caught dead; Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke, Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke; The kind of a place where a lady could go And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know. There must be a place where old pilots go, When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low, Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young, And songs about flying and dying are sung, Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before, And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door. Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad, And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!" And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy You had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly. He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear; And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here." "For this is the place where true flyers come," "When their journey is over, and the war has been won." "They've come here at last to be safe and alone" "From the government clerks and the management clone," "Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise," "Where all hours are happy, and these good ole boys" "Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest;" "This is heaven, my son You've passed your last test!" Author Unknown Marty Vanstone mvanst@dccnet.com - Posted by: Marty Vanstone () on: Mar 07, 2014

• Bob was a real good guy to work with. Always helpful. Back in the day he always had a cigarette hanging from his lips and he would start coughing almost doubled up. I would tell him to light up another one. - Posted by: Gord & Charmaine Watt (He was my boss at Lambair) on: Mar 06, 2014

• Knew Bob from the good old Transair days, we were hired around the same time. A good man will be remembered and missed. Our condolences to the family. - Posted by: John &Rita Jardine (Co-Worker) on: Mar 04, 2014

• condolences to the shinnie family. i knew bob and family from wabowden mb, where he was a pilot. went to school with his children. we were young then but i always remember bob being a nice person and funny. thoughts are with your family bob, may you rest in peace. - Posted by: madeline poirier (family friend) on: Mar 04, 2014

• Bob was a pleasure to work with, always humour, and good fun. My sympathy to his family. Tony Birch. - Posted by: Tony Birch ((co worker)) on: Mar 03, 2014

• Sorry Steve and Maria for your loss. Deepest sympathies - Posted by: Gale Ruchkall (Friend of Steve and maria) on: Mar 02, 2014

• I remember Bob at Lamb air and spent some time in the planet Thomson. He was always cordial and I enjoyed talking to him, when we crossed paths. I also ended up with Canadian and Air Canada. Long time, hope his travels on his last flight WEST. RIP Bob John Draper - Posted by: John Draper (also bush pilot and based in Thompson) on: Mar 02, 2014

• Enjoyed working with Bob. He had a rare sense of humour. My sympathy to the family and friends. - Posted by: Vera Cooley (coworker) on: Mar 02, 2014

• We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Shinnie. I will have great memories of him and shall always remember him with great respect. Steve, my brother, please know that despite the years and distance between, I send out much love to you all and you are all in our thoughts and prayers. - Posted by: Doug & Crystal Fright (friend) on: Mar 02, 2014

• I worked with Bob for many years at the airline, he could always make me laugh. I knew how important his family was to him, please accept my deepest sympathy. Lois Bruneau - Posted by: Lois Bruneau (co-worker) on: Mar 02, 2014

• I worked with Squeak for many years with Transair, PWA and Canadian. He was a great guy to fly with, fun and professional! Through him I met his daughter Jennifer, giving me a lifelong friend! My thoughts are with Shirley, Jennifer and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace Bob! - Posted by: Pennie Styan (Former Colleague) on: Mar 01, 2014

• I appreciated Bob's friendship, his kindness and his quiet humour. Time did not change him. Memoirs will always be of happy times. My thoughts are with Shirley and their wonderful family. With love, Lorraine - Posted by: Lorraine Sigvaldason (friend,for over sixty years.) on: Mar 01, 2014

• Shirley, Steve and Maria, we are in Victoria for the winter and saw Bob's obit. on the computer. Our thoughts are with you and all the family at this sad time. Ruth & Howard - Posted by: Ruth & Howard Fairbairn (Bowling friends) on: Mar 01, 2014

• We were good neighbours for years as our children grew up and Bob was a very good person to have as a friend. Our Condolences go out to Shirley & Family. - Posted by: Ralph & Shirley Sinclair (Friend & Past Neighbour) on: Mar 01, 2014

• We were so very sorry to hear of your Father's passing. May you be strengthened in knowing he rests in a wonderful place of beauty and eternal peace. Take Care. - Posted by: Judy and Ray (Friend) on: Mar 01, 2014

• My deepest sympathies on the loss of your Dad. It is a difficult thing to accept that he will no longer be there to give advice and help but keep his memory alive in your hearts and minds by sharing what he taught you and by all the things he instilled in you over the years. Noreen Stone - Posted by: NNnnnnnNore (ffff) on: Mar 01, 2014