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ROBERT SOPUCK
Suddenly, but peacefully, Robert Sopuck passed away October 23 at his home near Lake Audy, Manitoba. He is survived by his loving spouse of 36 years, Caroline, 2 children, Tony (Lainee) and Marsha (Graham) and 3 grandchildren, Eden, Senon and Esmee. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce (Ron) and brother, Tim (Linda), and his nieces and nephews, Erin (Jeff), Alexandra (Jeret), Julie, Kate (James) and Mark. He also cherished his niece, Christine, Caroline’s New Brunswick family and his goddaughter, Kristin Hendrickson.
Born in 1951, Robert was the first child of Joseph and Ida Sopuck, Eastern European immigrants who provided a loving, enriching upbringing in Winnipeg’s West End. From these roots, he attained an Honours Science degree at the University of Manitoba and a Master of Science degree in fisheries science at Cornell University, State of New York.
The family spend summers at their cottage in the Whiteshell, where outdoors pursuits, including fishing, hunting, foraging and camping, led Robert to a career path in land, water and wildlife conservation. He worked as a fisheries biologist with the federal and provincial governments before he launched a major life-shift in the 1970s: purchasing farm property in the Lake Audy area just south of Riding Mountain National Park and building a log house that became home base for the remainder of his varied life.
This city-raised guy found interesting ways to earn a rural living, often in partnership with his neighbor, Donald McDonald: farming, waterfowl guiding, farm vacation host, and environmental consultant. A growing interest in conservation policy ultimately took him to Winnipeg and the position of Director of the Sustainable Development Coordination Unit in the Filmon conservative government. His behind-the-scenes work was critical to the development of new provincial conservation legislation and institutions. After government, he worked as Director of Environmental Affairs at the Pine Falls Paper Plant and, later, as a policy analyst at the Delta Waterfowl Foundation. He received national and international awards for his contributions to wildlife and habitat conservation.
In 2010 he won a by-election in the Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette riding as the Progressive Conservative candidate. He was re-elected twice more before retiring from federal politics in 2019.
Representing one of Canada’s largest rural ridings was complicated, time-consuming and, ultimately, rewarding. Critical to Robert’s political career was the unflagging support and wise counsel of the greatest love of his life, whom he fondly called, “the inestimable Caroline.” He saw that his most important purpose was to advocate for the rural way of life that his constituents cherished.
Ultimately, it was personal connections with countless people that Robert valued most. He was an important mentor to many young people. Family members, friends and more than a few strangers harvested their first fish, grouse, or duck under his tutelage. Robert’s passion to share his country way of life with others was boundless. It was elegantly summarized in his many writings, including in a book, A Life Outdoors, and a video series produced by his son-in-law, Graham.
We will all remember a joyful, ebullient personality, generously shared, and the strength of conviction to stand for his family, his friends and his country, all his life.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. from the Sandy Lake Community Hall. A private family interment will take place at the Crawford Park Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy or Delta Waterfowl Foundation.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 26, 2024, Oct 26, 2024
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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I first met Bob when he was President of FLIPPR. He was crusading for the enhancement of prairie pothole lakes near his home south of Riding Mountain. We also both wrote Outdoor Columns in the Winnipeg Free Press. He was the hunting guy and I was the fishing guy. Bob was also an avid fly fisher and we shared many stories together. My most lasting memory of Bob was when we ice fished Clear Lake together many moons ago. While most of the group was huddled in a tent to keep warm, Bob was lying on ice, peering down the hole to see what might swim by. He then invited us back to his beautiful log home to enjoy a warm beverage. A fighter for the outdoor cause, he will be greatly missed! - Posted by: Don Lamont (Lifelong colleague) on: Nov 05, 2024
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I was one of the many neighborhood kids that used to play on Strathcona St. Whether it was baseball, football or street hockey, we had a great time. Robert was always there and was a good friend. He loved the outdoors and persued his passion turning it into a career. Well done Robert! - Posted by: Dave Downie (Friend) on: Oct 26, 2024
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In the 1980s and 90s while i was employed by the PFRA as the Director of the Manitoba Region I had the privileged to meet Bob, as the Province was transitioning its agriculture sector as a result of the elimination of the Federal "Crow rate" subsidy. Bob was passionate about environmental and agriculture sustainability issues and we had many conversations on how to best diversify and grow the agricultural sector while at the same time maintaining and strengthening bio diversity on the landscape. Bob's substantial knowledge of conservation and environmental issues was valuable as we developed and delivered programs to rural people to assist them in this transition. He was a kind, likeable and jovial individual, a model public servant, and I considered him not only a reliable colleague but also a friend. My Condolences to the family. - Posted by: Erminio Caligiuri (Colleague and friend) on: Oct 26, 2024
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I was 9 years old when I met Robbie and it changed my life. He was kind, generous and above all, a true friend. As we grew older and I moved away to Calgary, we did lose touch, but I will never lose the wonderful memories of growing up with his close friendship. Thank you my friend for making a difference in my life and in the lives of many others. With love, Larry - Posted by: Larry Pearson (Childhood Friend) on: Oct 26, 2024
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Condolences to all of the family. Robert was way too young to leave you all. We grew up on Strathcona Street and spent a lot of days playing on the streets with all of the neighborhood kids. I remember Robert dressing up in camo clothes going hunting or fishing with his dad a lot. Lots of good memories of those days. Once again, Condolences to Robert's family and Tim and Joyce and their families. - Posted by: Frieda (Klatt) van Solkema (Family friend) on: Oct 26, 2024