Robert Church

Church, Robert Emerson

(Squadron Leader retired)

On February 24th, at home, Robert Emerson passed away suddenly at the age of 96. Bob was predeceased by his wife Gloria and all his siblings: sister Myrtle and brothers Frank, Jim, Jack and Les. Bob is survived by his wife Margaret Klassen-Church (nee Woodfin), his son Murray Church (Kirsten Petersen) and daughter Lynne Loken (Doug Loken) and his step-sons John Klassen (Bernice), Bob Klassen (Cathy), David Klassen (Debbie) and Chris Klassen (Tina). He is also fondly remembered by Ken and Ave Lavoie and Carol Church. Bob was blessed with thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren who loved their Poppie very dearly, and a wealth of nieces and nephews. Bob had a full and fortunate life. Born in Renfrew to Clifford and Belle Church, his military career began in his teen years as a member of the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment. At the outbreak of WWII, Bob enlisted in the RCAF Special Reserve and trained as a pilot. He learned to fly a number of planes: Tiger Moths, Sopwith Camels, Harvards, Ansons and primarily Mosquitos. His skills lead him to become a flight instructor for most of the war, only flying combat missions out of Holland (418 Squadron) towards the end of the war. After the war, Bob became an accountant and transitioned from the military in 1967 to the Public Service. Leaving the PS in 1974, Bob went on to work as an accountant in the private sector and only fully retired in his late 80s. Bob never sat still for long. He hunted, trained labrador retrievers, skied on snow and water, cycled, gardened, curled, sang (church choirs, barbershop quartets) and was an expert skeet shooter, winning the City of Winnipeg Open Skeet Championship and placing second at the provincial championship. He loved to build things big (sleeping cabin) and small (cribbage tables, toy boxes) and he adored playing cribbage as well as bridge and poker. A long-time member of All-Saints Westboro Church and Sage Kiwanis, Bob deeply valued the communities he was part of and took active roles within them. He greatly appreciated his friendship with The Venerable Rev. Chris Dunn and the family is grateful to him for his support and care. Special thanks also go to his physician, Dr. Jay Mercer and his team, and to all the staff at CCAC and the Park Place retirement residence who cared for Bob so wonderfully. Friends may call at the Westboro Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 403 Richmond Road at Roosevelt Avenue on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at All Saints Anglican Church Westboro, 347 Richmond Road, Ottawa at 2:30 p.m. Those wishing to make donations may make them to All Saints Anglican Church Westboro. Condolences, tributes or donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com.