Robert “Bob” Theodore Turner
July 1st 1938 – May 3, 2025
On May 3, 2025, after a long illness, Robert passed away peacefully at Actionmarguerite St. Boniface. He was 86 years old.
Robert, who was known as Bob or Bobby to his family and friends was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and loyal friend. He was also an accomplished athlete.
Bob was born in Winnipeg to parents Edith (nee Perrotte) and Robert on July 1st 1938. Bob is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Theodore (Anna), Daniel, Scott (Shannon); grandchildren, Ronin, Raeya; and brothers, Jim (Carol) and Bill.
Bob grew up in a hardworking household in St.Vital and learned how to be responsible and resourceful from an early age.
Bob was an exceptional athlete and was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of fame in 2007 and again in 2012 for his role on the historic Canadian Senior Championship winning St. Vital Bulldogs football teams in 1968/69 and 1962 respectively. He was also inducted to the Football Manitoba Hall of Fame in 2010 and again in 2018 as a member of those same championship 1962 and 1968/69 St.Vital Bulldogs teams, his 2018 induction citing recognition of outstanding success, and contribution to the game of football. As a member of the Canadian Senior Champion 1969 Bulldogs, Bob was awarded the provincial distinction of The Order of The Buffalo Hunt from the Premier of Manitoba along with his teammates for having displayed the qualities of sportsmanship, persistence, and team spirit required for the bestowment of this high honour.
Also involved in rugby, Bob was inducted into the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of the 1972-1975 Saracens Rugby Club. Bob was also invited to Winnipeg Blue Bomber training camp twice in the 1960’s. He remained a life-long Bomber fan and long-time season ticket holder of his beloved Big Blue. He later encouraged son Theodore’s own time in football and was a coach for sons Dan and Scott’s baseball teams. Bob enjoyed many different sports including track/running, hockey, racquet sports and golf. Bob remained very active in sports in his later years and was a regular participant in the Manitoba Marathon Super Run into his 70’s.
Bob studied electronics as a trade and became a journeyman electrician. He worked at Pioneer Electric in Winnipeg and then at the Churchill Rocket Research Range in Churchill MB in the 1960’s. Bob then went on to have a long career as an avionics technician at Air Canada during which he was one of the technicians who repaired the famed “Gimli Glider.”
Bob was a great storyteller who loved to act out his favourite tales, often to an audience who may have heard the story previously, yet who always responded with much love and enjoyment of his storytelling skill and enthusiasm.
Faith was always an important part of Bob’s life and he was a board member at St. Charles United Church in Winnipeg for many years.
Bob was a loving “pet Dad”. He would always try to help someone in need. After retirement he volunteered at the Christmas Cheer Board, Manitoba Harvest and the drop-in center at St Mathews Maryland.
He loved music and his favourites included Duane Eddy, Johnny Cash, Buddy Knox, Gordon Lightfoot and Patsy Cline.
Bob was a proud and humble man who loved his family deeply and exemplified loyalty to his many friends.
The family wish to thank the nurses and aides of units 5C and AB at Actionmargueite in Winnipeg for the great compassion and excellence in care they always provided to Bob and the needed support they gave to his family. We wish to thank Zofia at Actionmargueite specifically for the personalized spiritual care she provided to Bob so generously and the special bond she formed with him over long discussions of life, faith and football.
A small family service occurred after Bob’s passing.
