Obituary of Robert Annand

The family of Robert Wesley "Bob” Annand announce his passing on the 21st day of June, 2014 at the age of 86 years. It was appropriate that the life of this farmer would end on the longest day of the year, a day on which he often saw the sun rise. Bob was living at the Veteran’s Kipnes Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. He spent his last few months there to be near his daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Phil Burt and their family and his granddaughters, Lisa and Karen. He was still able to have his garden of red geraniums and enjoy hot wings and coffee and teasing the great caregivers who work there. Bob was born at Mossbank, Saskatchewan to Edgar and Annie Annand on December 7, 1927. He attended school at Mossbank, being shaped by the farm community and the depression years. He joined the Canadian Army in 1944 and saw duty as a riflery trainer in Ontario before the end of the war. After the war he worked for farmers in the area until he could buy a gravel truck of his own and go into business for himself. The lure of hard rock mining took Bob to the mine at Flin Flon, Manitoba in 1949. On September 17, 1949 he married Irene Patterson of Mossbank. She joined him in Flin Flon and they spent five years there until they returned to Mossbank in 1954 to start their farming career. Bob worked a short time in a farm equipment dealership in Mossbank and then began full-time farming. He built the farm over the years until he passed it on to this sons, Rod and Glenn, in the 1980’s. He continued to help on the farm as long as he could and always maintained an interest in the farm. The Masonic Lodge, the local golf club, the Mossbank Rink project and Curling Club were the beneficiary of much of Bob’s volunteer time. He also served on the R.M. Council, Sask Wheat Pool, Co-op and Credit Union boards. His legacy of community service, volunteerism and leadership has been passed on to all of his children. Bob and Irene were married for 63 years before Mom’s passing on June 8, 2013. He called her "the best wife ever”. He missed her dearly. Bob was predeceased by his brother, Jack, and sister, Eleanor, grandson, Landon Burt and daughter-in-law, Patty Smith-Annand. His sister-in-law, Muriel Patterson died hours after Bob’s death on June 21st. He is survived by his sister, Audrey Dinsmore; son, Rodney (Liz Mucha), and his children: Lisa Daniels (Daryl) and Karen Middleton (Gavin); son Melvin (Imogene), and his children: Wade Annand, Lacey Wilton and Holly Annand; son Glenn (Judith) and his children: Matthew Annand and Luke Annand; daughter, Jill Burt (Phil), and her children: Adam Burt, Mataya Burt, and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held at the Mossbank United Church on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Interment took place at the Mossbank Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 191 Lombard Ave., Suite 1101, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X1 or the Furrows and Faith Retirement Villa, Box 129, Mossbank, SK S0H 3G0.