Bob died peacefully, at the age of 70, on April 19, 2004, with family at his side. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joanne, his children Roberta (Rick Rackal), Colleen (Warren Eaton), Bryce (Sam Montgomery), Jennifer (Wayne Doherty), Patrick (Kathy Warenchuk), Alex and girlfriend Shelagh, and his six grandchildren. His siblings Florence Reid, Richard , James , Garry and Edward, and their families will also miss him. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Helen and three sisters, Bonnie Lawrick, Donna Miller,and Sandra Linz.
Bob met Joanne in 1959 at an Air Force dance and they were married in 1960 at St. Ignatius Church. Roberta was born in 1961.The family moved to Dauphin (1961-1968) Where Bob worked for Auto Electric. Colleen(1963), Bryce(1964), Jennifer(1967) and Patrick(1968) rounded out the Singbeil clan. In the summer of 1968 the family moved back to Winnipeg and into their current home on Dorchester, where Alexander was born in 1981.
Bob worked at Auto Electric in Winnipeg, and started in 1972 for CN – Symington Diesel shop. He was employed by CN for 27 years in a variety of positions until he retired in 1998. After retirement Bob worked as a consultant for ENN Railway in Nanaimo BC.
Family was important to Robert. He loved dearly his six grandchildren, Carly Rackal, Sydney Eaton, Samuel Eaton, Pearson Montgomery, Ethan Doherty and Sarah Singbeil.
Robert loved fishing, making annual trips to BC for salmon with his brothers and sister. He loved to tell stories about these adventures. His most cherished tales involved emergency repairs under adverse conditions.
Robert was a proud man who rarely asked for help but was always willing to provide it. He was known as a jack of all trades and "Mr. Fixit".
Robert was a strong believer in donating blood and he was proud that he made more than 100 donations, an impresive achievment given that the blood clinic only came to Assiniboia and Dauphin a couple times a year. He continued to volunteer for the Red Cross once he was no longer able to donate blood. Bob impressed upon others the importance of donating blood and the family would be happy if others would consider donating blood in his memory.
The family would like to thank, the caring staff on 3 East at Riverview Health Centre, Cancer Care Manitoba, and the Palliative Home Care program. In addition Bob’s children would like to thank their employers for their support and understanding.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford at Corydon on Friday April 23, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. (viewing at 10:30).
If friends desire, donations may be made in Bob’s name to: Cancer Care Manitoba, Canadian Diabetes Assoc., or the Winnipeg Humane Society.