ROBERT (BOB) GORDON WYATT
April 20th, 1932 to July 20th, 2015
We are saddened to announce the passing of Bob Wyatt at the age of 83 years. Bob was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, musician, and a lifelong ambassador for the city of Moose Jaw. Robert (Bob) Gordon Wyatt was born April 20th, 1932 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He was number 5 of 6 siblings born to Ed and Zelma Wyatt. He grew up at 1040 Henleaze Ave, attended King George School and graduated from Central Collegiate. While growing up, Dad held one of the largest paper routes in the city, he played hockey, took piano lessons and he worked on the ice gang for the CPR. Dad went on to the University of Saskatchewan and after a year of commerce, decided academia was not for him. Dad came back to Moose Jaw and worked with the accounting firm of Bamford & Associates’ and it was while working here that several life changing occurrences happened. The first and most important occurrence was that he met this most beautiful woman employed at Joyner’s while he was working on the books for Joyner’s department store. His successful pursuit of this woman, our mother Shirley, led to 60 years of marriage, three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and counting. His working career took him from Bamfords to Leonard Fysh Drugs, to Moffat Broadcasting which later led to CHAB Radio. He left the radio station to work for Hagan Van Iderstine Chartered Accountants, which underwent different name changes as the partnership was redefined. Dad retired at age 65 from Noren and Partners only to be wooed back to work after about a year by Don Crook Chartered Accountants. To say Bob learned to play the piano would be a grave injustice. Bob was a great piano player. He was asked to join the Bob Moyer Big Band and go on the road with them shortly after high school, but the attraction of staying in Moose Jaw was too strong when compared to being away on the road. There were many Friday and Saturday evenings spent playing for many local dances with his own combo which included Gord Elmer, Tommy Toddington, his brother Winks, George Wade and Cy Knight. He taught advanced piano lessons to many students two or three evenings per week over many years. Dad was easily recognized driving the Moose Jaw streets in his turquoise 64 Mercury Meteor, a car he owned for over 30 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ed and Zelma; sisters: Helen, Irene and Ann; and brother, Ralph. Bob is survived by his loving partner of 60 years, Shirley; children: Whitlow (Bobbie), Gary (Marianne) and Janet (Ron) Smolinski; grandchildren: Steven (Jenny), Tristan (Ashley), Natasha (Jeff) Veeder, Leif, Adrianna (Jeremy) Bachuz, Ellen (Travis) and Noah (Chelsea); great-grandchildren: Seth, Jalen, Sage, Haden and Liv; brother, Harold (Hal); and many more nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 23rd, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home with Reverend Doug Hallman officiating. Flowers are gratefully declined. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Bob’s name may be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, P.O. Box 309 Saskatoon, SK S7K 3L3. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
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