March 28, 1945 – October 13, 2019
It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Richard on the morning of October 13, 2019 (Thanksgiving Sunday), at the Health Sciences Center Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with his wife, Anna by his side.
Left to mourn and cherish precious memories are his wife of 54 years, Anna, son Terry, grand-daughters Athena and Tess; brothers Vincent (Valerie), and David; sister Jean Moldovan, two sisters-in-law and eleven nieces and nephews. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Sophie Skarban and sister, Marge Johnson.
Richard was born in Assiniboia, Sask. and lived with his family in Limerick, Sask. After graduating from Limerick High School, he was employed as a Bank of Montreal trainee. Later he was transferred to North Battleford, Sask., where he met his future wife Anna.
After marriage, he attended the University of Regina for a Teacher’s Certificate. Later he graduated from Brandon University with a 5-year Bachelors of Education degree and eventually from San Diego State University, with a Master’s Degree in Education Administration.
Richard’s career in the field of education covered a spam of 35 years. Eventually settling in Thompson, Manitoba, he taught Junior High at Riverside School. Later at R.D. Parker Collegiate, he was a math teacher and Administrator. Rick served on multiple committees, both local and provincial. Representing the Manitoba Association of Principals, he served on the development of the Senior 1 Science Manitoba Curriculum Framework of Outcomes. Locally, Richard served on the World Scholarship Committee in Thompson.
Richard was a quiet, modest man with a gentle sense of humour and an amazing memory. Very intelligent, well-read, well-travelled educated man, who was interested in all current technology and he kept up with it as it changed.
He was a loving generous man whose constant care and concern created a sincere and happy life for his wife Anna, son Terry and grand-daughters Athena and Tess.
He fulfilled all of his family’s wishes. At a mere suggestion, he offered to help. Always available to drive, tutor, advise, encourage, discuss, visit and arrange family lunches and dinners. He enjoyed playing board games and shopping for toys when Athena and Tess were young, and later, shopping for cell phones and laptop computers. He was good at making special lunches for the girls. The grand-daughters’ Christmas gift lists were his joy, as he ordered and lovingly wrapped them. He did this to his very last Christmas in 2018.
He loved to give surprise gifts: A family trip to Disneyworld, special birthday gifts, especially a special 21st birthday gift to Athena. Tess’s 21st is yet to come, the gift to be given as decreed by her loving Gramps. Other gifts were given at the end of every school year, University funds and University Education gifts.
Everyone appreciated his generosity and thoughtfulness and loved him for it. His contact calm manner was outstanding. He never became irate or raised his voice at anyone. Always respectful, at home and in public. His greatest pride and joy was seeing his son and grand-daughters succeed in their educational endeavors. So much pride and happiness when he read report cards with honours marks in their high school years. He was so proud of his son’s University accomplishments and degrees, and recently in Athena’s first University degree and Tess’s entrance into the University of Manitoba.
His hobbies included both intellectual and physical activities. Always reading and learning. Before retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, building fine furniture and other projects. He built:
- A sailboat, the Anna 1, painted it yellow and added a red sail.
- A shelf for his school office
- A computer desk for his home office
- An ornate rocking cradle for his grand-daughters
- A doghouse for our spoiled Irish Setter, Brandy, who never went inside it… just laid in front of it looking sad.
- DIY home projects – remodeled a bedroom into a meditation/yoga room for his wife Anna.
- Remodeled the entire kitchen!
Richard also enjoyed oil painting and writing short stories. His romantic nature often revealed in his poems and letters to his wife Anna. Other hobbies include:
- Tennis with young son and Anna
- Golfing with Anna and friends
In the summer, he loved the outdoors and countryside living. He was often seen cutting grass on the field and lawns, or tending to the fruit trees and flower beds. In winter, time was spent reading, doing crossword puzzles and cleaning snow off the long driveway with his snow tractor.
He loved all animals. Never hunted or went fishing. He enjoyed seeing the bunnies and chipmunks while looking though the patio doors.
Rich became ill at retirement in 2005 with a rare genetic liver enzyme deficiency. After a successful liver transplant in 2008, and a long recovery, life became nearly normal for almost four years. Eventually dialysis was necessary along with a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, a heart attack occurred during the kidney transplant in September, 2018. Approximately a year later, complications with his heart ended his life on October 13, 2019 at 7:45 a.m. Thanksgiving Sunday.
Our family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation and a genuine thank you to the attending doctors, nurses and all the staff for their excellent care and encouragement throughout his illness and hospital stay.
Also, a grateful appreciation and thank you to everyone who cared for his wife Anna during her 55-day vigil and support at Rick’s bedside during his final stay at HSC Hospital.
Rick’s greatest hope and daily wish while at the hospital was to become well enough, even in a handicapped state, to go home and enjoy the gift of life for at least six more years. However, human decisions and interventions, as well as the body’s weak condition, prevented God’s miracle of healing to occur. His wife Anna’s belief in miracles still stays strong.
Richard was interred at the Brookside Cemetery in a service with family in attendance. A handsome, proud man, who deserved more recognition that he ever received. Rest in peace, my Earth angel, our dearly beloved Richard.
