ROBERT (BOB) MICHAEL PAIZEN

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

• My heart is broken as I grieve the passing of my Uncle Bob, a most incredible human. A superb athlete and expert craftsman, intelligent, thoughtful and kind, Uncle Bob made life fun, all the while teaching you about life without you even realizing it. I hit the jackpot with uncles. They were my heroes growing up and remain in my highest regard today. I am the oldest - they wanted a nephew. They adapted to having a niece by making me a tomboy. Problem solved. Bob taught me how to throw a football and baseball (not like a girl, of course), ride a bicycle, play basketball (he was an insanely talented player), shoot a puck, golf right handed (despite my being left handed) and instill an almost rabid love of sports in me, especially hockey. He taught me to appreciate British humor - Fawlty Towers and Monty Python, British music - The Kinks and one of his favorite British shows - All Creatures Great and Small. He taught me about construction, his trade and passion. He was all about healthy eating before it was trendy and taught me that fresh food is the best food. The outdoors was where he loved to be most of all and Lake of the Woods held a large part of his heart - I was privileged to be able to spend many a summer traipsing around with him. And how he loved to read. Some of my favorite memories are sitting at the kitchen table in my grandma's house, drinking tea and reading the newspaper (or two) in its entirety with him. I am forever grateful for the influence he was in my life. I am a lucky, lucky girl to have had him as my uncle. The world is a lesser place without him but I am a better person because of him. - Posted by: Lisa Plank (Niece) on: Dec 30, 2017

• Bob was a great person . I got to know Bob when he started to do carpentry work for Willmar Windows, Stormtite Ind and my own house . Bob and I would spend many hours in conversation on a number of projects and he always came up with the correct solutions . Bob provided me with great encouragement when I needed it most . There was a spiritual gift that Bob had that came through his smile and his words that you could receive strength from and leave feeling much better . Bob will be truly missed . - Posted by: Gordon Seier (Friend ) on: Dec 30, 2017

• Bob & I go back to high school years, where memories of basketball, skiing, camping, adventure and pranks still fill the cockles of my heart with smiles! Despite dementia, these memories brought smiles (& tears) to him less than two months before he passed. The inner light of Bob was there always! He was an amazingly creative and intelligent person, always thoughtful, generous and forgiving. Good friends, such as Phil and Heather Smith, and other Basketball buddies stuck by him to the end. May his two kids feel their father's love as they enjoy the care and detail he put into the gorgeous house he built for them in Lake of the Woods, his favourite place since he was 20! Bob's humour almost matched his basketball skills. Smiles and strength to the end, he had the will to choose when he ended his game. His life was well played! - Posted by: Lorene Benoit (Long Time & Forever Love) on: Dec 28, 2017

• It is with a heavy heart I write this memorial. I got to know Bob when he joined our basketball team ( Blowers). He was a hit right off the bat. What a player. He and Roscoe were a perfect fit for our style of play and for many years we had such fun playing. But besides that, he was a great help off the court. On a cold -30 day in Jan. he came over to my house to replace my garage door when it split in half. When I moved to St. Andrews, he helped build my deck and frame my basement. His work was impeccable. My wife also remembers how he taught her his recipe for Caesar salad. She still uses it to this day. I will always remember Bob and all the good times we had. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Jim Bauer (old teammate) on: Dec 19, 2017

• We send our heartfelt condolences to Bob's family. We have many fond memories of Bob during our high school years and beyond. He was full of life and had a great sense of humour. Great times were spent around the lunch table , on the basketball court and cruising in his old Nash while students at Dakota.These are memories we will carry for a lifetime. - Posted by: Gord and Linda Puttaert (high school friends and fellow athletes) on: Dec 09, 2017

• Bob always had a smile on his face. As a long standing member of the Roadrunners basketball club, he was a great team player. Bob was the kind of friend that was always willing to help out wherever needed. He will be sadly missed by his friends and the basketball community. - Posted by: Rob and Luann Lelieveld (Friends) on: Dec 09, 2017

• I will remember Bob as a teammate and friend. He was an all-round good guy, someone who competed hard and could be counted on for his hard work and good nature. The last few years were very tough on him, but he never complained and was happy to see you whenever you visited. He will be missed by many in our Manitoba basketball community. - Posted by: Ross Wedlake (Friend) on: Dec 09, 2017