ROBERT (BOB) LANCASTER

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ROBERT (BOB) LANCASTER

It is with deep love and great respect that the family of Robert John “Bob” Lancaster announce his passing on April 27, 2025, at the age of 86.

Born in Winnipeg on January 11, 1939, Bob lived a full and vibrant life defined by his unwavering curiosity and creativity, along with a strong dedication to his family and close bonds with his many friends.

Bob was the eldest son of John and Doris Lancaster. His early years, in Parkdale, MB were shaped and shared with his mom while his dad served overseas during the Second World War.

When talking about those early years, Bob shared that the local teacher boarded at their home. She would bring “Bobbie” with her to the one room schoolhouse long before he was of the age to start school. Perhaps this was the beginning of his long-standing love of learning.

Bob married Denice, his lifelong partner, in 1962. Together they raised their three children, Sherri, Kimberley, and Darren in the Charleswood home they designed and built together. With a shared vision and Bob’s craftsmanship, they transformed their house into a warm and welcoming home, complete with a Victorian tower and large solarium. Their shared love of collecting antiques and gardening brought beauty and character to every corner of their home and garden.

A dedicated father, we always knew that he would be there for us. Whether humming along while we practiced our piano lessons, teaching us to swim, skating at Eric Coy Arena or welding an entire set of monkey bars for the back yard, he showed us, through his actions, that we mattered.

Many of his fondest memories came from time shared with Darren as a leader of the local Cub and Scout troops. Sharing memories of camping trips, Jamborees and stockcar derbies might start with, “Remember when?” and a great story was sure to follow.

Bob adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they returned that adoration. Time in “Bob’s Juke Joint” playing pinball and choosing classics from a jukebox was always a fun time but conversation or a quiet game of chess was equally treasured. Attending many minor league hockey games and band concerts was a must.

As a teenager, Bob joined the Sea Cadets, where he had the opportunity to travel to the Great Lakes and the west coast of Canada. While a Sea Cadet, Bob discovered shortwave and ham radio which became a passion that connected him with fellow enthusiasts around the world.

In 1957, Bob began a career with Manitoba Telephone System (MTS), where he worked as a switchman, instructor, foreman, and eventually a labour relations specialist.

In keeping with his passion for learning, Bob earned an electronics certificate from the School of Technology and graduated from Red River College’s extension program, majoring in Labour Relations.

Bob’s interests and hobbies were wide-ranging. Prior to starting a family, he raced his sports car, an Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite, with The Winnipeg Sports Car Club. He was a founding member of the Winnipeg Gliding Club and a member of the Manitoba Running Association. He swam competitively, (master level), with the MANTA Swim Club in addition to learning to tower dive. Curling was another activity that Bob took up, joining in with his father-in-law, Sam and brother-in-law, Rick. Later, he joined the Manitoba Telephone System Curling Club.

He also had a love of football that began with scrimmages in his youth and grew into a love of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Bob took his kids to many games in the “Family Fun Zone” and eventually purchased season tickets where he shared this passion with his wife, Denice. We will never forget gathering around to watch games right until his last season.

After retiring, Bob taught himself to play harmonica. He was a member of the Manitoba Blues Society and performed at various local venues. This included the Windsor Hotel, with fellow blues musicians and the band “Bluesberry”. As with all things that he took on, Bob’s harp skills were legendary.

One of Bob’s greatest lifelong passions was collecting and restoring vintage pinball machines, jukeboxes and various coin operated machines. He transformed his garage into a 1950s hangout where music and laughter flowed freely, and stories were shared with friends and family alike.

Throughout his life, Bob dedicated his time and leadership skills to volunteering with the many organizations that he was part of including the Telephone Pioneers, The Winnipeg Gliding Club, Scouting Canada, and the Manitoba Blues Society.

Bob will be remembered as a truly unique man—a teacher, a learner, a builder, a thinker, a mentor. He joked that “He could have done great things if he wasn’t so busy doing the little things.” But it was in those little things that he revealed the true measure of a great life and a great man.

Bob is survived by his children, Sherri and Glenn Nobiss, Kimberley (Roman Kostyk) Lancaster and Darren and Tammy Lancaster; his grandchildren Courtney (Thomas), Amanda, Matthew, Lilly and Jonathon and his great-grandchildren Emily, Cait, and Maggie.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Denice, his parents John and Doris, brother Richard, sister Marilyn, his mother-in-law Agnes, father-in-law Sam, and brother-in-law Richard.

In keeping with Bob’s instructions, there will be no formal service.

Bob’s wishes were to say goodbye using his ham radio call sign with the code for “best regards”. 

VE4CC 73

Goodbye, Dad. Love you always.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2025