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June 14, 1950 - February 24, 2021
Robert (Bob) was born on June 14, 1950 in St. Walberg, Saskatchewan, and spent his early years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the summer of 1958, the family packed up and moved to Whitehorse where Leroy had a job. Jean and her children, Carol, Brian, Bob, and Marlene were driven up the highway by Grandpa Enos LaBar in his Studebaker. It was a long and dusty trip!
Bob's early adulthood was spent doing road construction, drilling and socializing in the land of the midnight sun. He lived life large, happy and carefree - always the life of the party. As well as running a variety of construction equipment, he was a renowned driller working many years across northern BC, NWT, and all over the Yukon. During his career and travels he made many lifelong friends ~ a charismatic charmer, with a generous spirit!
In 2000, Bob finally decided to settle down; he purchased a plot of land right next to his brother and built a house. His door was always open, and his firepit became legendary. As happy go lucky as he was though, he was also a spiritual person; he felt he understood his place in the universe, which made him mindful that his "things" also needed to be orderly and in their place.
Consequently he was always puttering, organizing, or sorting something in his house or on his property. Around 2010 Bob met Cathy and love was in the air! They became partners in life, and so began the next chapter in his life. With Cathy's talent for gardening, the property was transformed into what it is today. Bob was happy to let her do it! With trees removed, a greenhouse set up, multitudes of flower beds and planters installed, bushes planted and the firepit opened up, it became a lovely oasis for friends and family to visit.
Around 2015 Bob settled into his new life of retirement with the greatest of ease. He continued to be a gracious host and many good times were had.
In fall 2020 he learned he had cancer. A trip to VGH in September turned into a life and death struggle, but with a positive attitude and fierce determination to return home, he did just that, arriving back in Whitehorse in October.
He was not one to complain about his fate and accepted what was. He was going to enjoy every moment of the time that was allotted to him, and he wanted his remaining days to be in his home with his friends and family around him. With Cathy's love and support he was able to do that and left this world on his own terms. Free from his earthly chains, he can now explore the cosmos and discover new adventures and friendships. Always generous and honest, he had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful partner, uncle, brother, and friend. His was a life well lived and he will be dearly missed by so many!!
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again, May The Creator hold you
In the palm of His hand.

A special thank you to VGH and the many specialists who worked so hard to save his life and make sure he got back to his beloved Yukon. Also, our deepest gratitude to Dr. Danusia Kanachowsky who helped Bob through his final journey, and gave unlimited support to Bob and Cathy during this difficult time.
Bob is predeceased by his mother Jean LaBar, and his father Leroy LaBar. He is survived by his partner Cathy Therrien, sister Carol (Ian), brother Brian (Yvonne), sister Marlene, his nieces and nephew, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and a great-great nephew.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC/Yukon Canadian Cancer Society, or to the Yukon Hospital Foundation.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time.


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