Robert George Anderson, age 84, of Herbert, Saskatchewan, passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at the Herbert Integrated Health Facility, with family by his side. His funeral was held on Monday, September 12, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, with Reverend Linda Hall officiating. The interment was held at Memory Gardens, Swift Current, immediately after the service. Robert Anderson is survived by his wife, Mary Anderson; his children Kandace (Vern Enslen) Cameron (Medicine Hat), Matthew Anderson (Montreal) and Mark (Barbara) Anderson (Regina); grandchildren Shane, Robert, Jordan (Jessica), Nathan, Daniel, Gabriel, James, Kiernan and Brendan; and one great-grandchild, Sophia Cameron. He also leaves to mourn two sisters, Mabel Stokoe and Irene Liddell of Armstrong, BC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Robert also leaves behind his step-children: Rose (Heinz) Werner (Swift Current), Hamid (Fatima) Hattum (Swift Current), Audrey (Sam) Ferris (Medicine Hat), Alley Hattum (Ponteix), Sam Jr. (Val) Hattum (Medicine Hat), Dean Hattum (California), and Charles Hattum (Lac La Biche) and their families. Robert was predeceased by one daughter, Karen Judy Anderson, his parents George and Camilla Anderson, brothers Gustave and Leonard Anderson, sisters Agnes Davis, Florence Leland, and May Fuhrer, and half-sisters Gertrude and Esther. Robert George Anderson was born at home on the farm on December 5, 1931. He would later say that he had never been in the hospital for any reason until he was in his 40s and then it was a procedure he chose to have. He attended Thring School until he was needed to help his dad with the farming. By the age of 18, Robert rented and then owned his own land, in addition to farming that of his parents. Shortly thereafter, he married his best friend's little sister, Shirley Golling. During that time, he also did some custom farming, worked on oil rigs, drove truck and ran machinery for various companies including his own. After losing a daughter in 1958, Robert moved his young family to Swift Current and became a city policeman. After that, he owned a small business that sold real estate as well as insurance. At the same time, he and his wife also became customs brokers. He then worked for Co-operative Trust Company, rising to Regina Branch Manager/South Saskatchewan Region Manager. While working for Co-op Trust, he discovered a deep and abiding love for flying, taking his pilot's license, as well as commercial pilot's license. It was one of his great joys in life to purchase a little red two-seater airplane he called "Snoopy". Unfortunately, it was a pilot's medical that discovered his Parkinson's. Robert finished his many varied careers as a Labour Market Information Analyst, back in his hometown of Swift Current. It was while working as an Information Analyst that Robert attended a singles' dance in Swift Current, where he met and married Mary Hattum. They travelled widely together in Robert's later years as members of The Good Sams Club, as well as enjoying winter months at the Fountain of Youth in California. Eventually the Parkinson's curtailed Robert's activities and necessitated his move into assisted living and then into full care homes. Robert Anderson enjoyed meeting people, making and listening to music, and travelling. He also loved spending time with the large extended family that Mary brought to their marriage. He was stubborn and fiercely independent and for 30 plus years, he tirelessly fought the limitations of his Parkinson's. Robert never lost his knack for tinkering with anything and everything. He insisted on keeping his mind active at all times and was determined to learn new things, right up until the end. He never gave up at anything in his life.
We would like to thank the staff at the Herbert Integrated Care Facility. Their care and concern for our father is greatly appreciated. Thank you also to Dr. Kassett and staff. We also are grateful to Betty Cornelson of Herbert, Saskatchewan, for her help in Dad's final months. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Robert are encouraged to do so to Parkinson Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316, Toronto, Ontario, M2P 2A9.
Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.