May 27, 1940 – May 14, 2024
In the afternoon of May 14th, Bob died at home with his children at his side. His death came just five short weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
He was predeceased by his wife Barbara in 2015, and his parents Elleane (1997) and Harvey (1984).
Left to cherish memories of him are his daughter Genevieve (grandsons Braden and Hudson); son Eric (Lindsay; grandchildren Hannah, Hunter, and Harrison); brother Ken (Gladys), brother-in-law Raymond (Steven), nieces Marcy (Pedro; Jacob), Alisa (Jamie; Alexa and Julianna), and many other important family members and friends.
Throughout his life, Bob has always been involved in volunteerism and innovation. Bob worked for forty-six years in the field of Education, teaching, and counselling from Kindergarten to Faculty of Education courses.
As a member of the St. James-Assiniboia Teachers’ Association executive, he was instrumental in the development and planning of the Division’s Teacher Centre and was its first coordinator. He served as President of the Manitoba Association for Multicultural Education (MAME) becoming part of the community that was very committed to seeing that the education system reflected the diversity of students that were being taught. Because of this work, Bob was awarded the Premier’s volunteer Service Award in 2005. Later in his carer, he helped establish Stevenson Britannia Adult Literacy Program, which continues to be a leader in the literacy and adult education field. From 2006-2010, Bob served on the Board and Executive of Literacy Partners of Manitoba.
On retiring in 2006, Bob refocussed his volunteering to the needs of seniors. First joining the Fort Gary Seniors Resource council, he chaired the committee from 2006-2013. Soon the need for a Senior Centre in Fort Garry arose, and he was one of the four founders of Pembina Active Living Senior Centre. Through caring simultaneously for his wife and mother-in-law, Bob became an active advocate for caregivers. He was named to the Manitoba Council on Aging and with the formation of the Provincial Caregiver Advisory Committee, he was named chair until the committee was dissolved. He also served on the WRHA Homecare Advisory Council and the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba.
For all his outstanding contributions to volunteerism, Bob was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
Bob enjoyed spending time with his family, taking us kids on many camping trips in the summers, and later, spending time at the cottage at Victoria Beach. He loved to attend his grandchildren’s concerts, sports’ games, and going out for breakfast ‘with the boys’. An avid traveler, he and mom were able to spend many winters in Mexico and taking special trips to various places around the world.
We wish to express our thanks to the numerous nurses and health care aides who provided exceptional care to dad in the short time he was in Victoria Hospital. A special thank you to the WRHA Palliative Care team for providing support to us while we cared for him at home.
There are so many more stories and memories to share about him beyond what can be said here.
A service to celebrate and remember Bob will be held on Saturday June 8th at 2pm at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Palliative Manitoba, Manitoba Alzheimer Society, or Pembina Active Living.
3 thoughts on “Robert (Bob) Harvey Thompson”
I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. After contacting Connie Newman of Manitoba Association of Seniors Communities in 2009 to find out how to start a Senior’s organization, we were advised to contact Bob who was Chairperson of the Fort Garry Seniors Resource Council at that time. Bob helped our organization immeasurably to get off the ground. He was one of the first officers on the Pembina Active Living (PAL 55+) board of directors and served for several years on our board. He was always supportive, positive and good natured, and a wonderful, knowledgeable person to work with. It is truly amazing to learn about all the work he did for various organizations in Winnipeg. How wonderful for your family to have so many happy memories of this truly exceptional person. I will pass along the notice to the Exedutive Director of Pembina Active Living (55+) in order that our members will be aware of his passing and I will make a donation to PAL (55+) in his memory. Please accept my condolences.
I only meet Bob at the end of his tenor with PAL (55+). He was always so friendly and positive. He and I were on the Governance committee together and we could argue (friendly) about the correct spelling, or correct wording to use in the correspondence. He was always a pleasure to have around. Tenille PAL (55+) Administrative Assistant.
In 1972 Bob was my cooperating teacher at Norberry School.
As an Education student, Bob had a dramatic and long lasting effect on my teaching style and leadership qualities.
I worked with Bob one last time when he was a Board Member at Stevenson Britannia Adult Learning Centre and I was the Education Director. His influence was extremely valuable and the school has maintained his belief in the value of every individual and the priority for respect and caring.
Thank you for all you have done. Your family has a lot to be proud of.
Rest in peace my friend.