Robert Akila (a.k.a “Bob”, “Aki” or “Bobbie”) Tatebe, age 78, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on May 16, 2016 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Bob was born March 11, 1938 to Kango and Chiyeno Tatebe in Duncan, British Columbia. At age 7, Bob and his family were moved to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where they lived in the East End until he met his wife Penny Balcom in 1967.
Bob and Penny married shortly after and moved to the infamous ‘Pineview Bay’ where they lived for 25 years; and raised their children, Carol, Richard and Rodney. Pineview Bay was known to many as a gathering place where you were always welcome; a place that Richard and Rodney learned many life lessons from Bob.
For 40 years Bob was employed at Great Lakes Forest Products where he started as a logging camp clerk and moved though various positions within the company, he retired in 1996 as the Executive Manager of Information Systems. Bob had a strong work ethic and excelled in his positions, but the most important part about working for Bob was the life-long friendships he made and providing a good life for his family to enjoy.
Bob was very active in Thunder Bay over the years. He was a member at the First Church United and the Japanese Cultural Association of Thunder Bay. He was a member at Fort William Country Club for the past 40 years where he enjoyed men’s night, bantering about the game and providing course maintenance at the club after his retirement. He also enjoyed many years of curling at the Fort William Curling Club. Bob was well known as an extremely active and dedicated hockey parent, coach and manager in Thunder Bay for 20 years. He coached and managed with Elks Minor Hockey Association, Thunder Bay Andrews Hockey Club and the Thunder Bay Beavers Hockey Club. Over the last 5 years he re-entered the world of hockey as a dedicated hockey grandparent never missing a game or travelling for a tournament.
Anyone who ever met or had the good chance to be in Bob’s life all knew that Bob was genuinely interested in you as a person, he wanted to hear what was new with you and loved rehashing old stories. He always had that beaming smile when he saw you coming and you always knew Bob was in the room when you heard that laugh. A laugh that was contagious and full of joy. Bob was a man who was never too proud to show kindness or love or offer a helping hand to whoever asked; and even to those who didn't even ask at all.
More than anything Bob loved his family. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother. No one could question his love and devotion as he wore his heart on his sleeve. That famous smile would re-appear when he would start a sentence with “my wife…, my sons …, or my granddaughter …”
Bob was pre-deceased by his beloved daughter Carol, his brothers Tak, Yukie and Tokie, his sister Kathy and brother-in-law George Ichikawa. He is survived by his wife Penny their two sons Richard and Rodney, his daughter-in law Abi, his grand-daughter Akira, his brothers Yosh and Tony, his very special 8 nieces, 5 nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral will be held on May 25th, 2016 at 11:00 am at First Wesley United Church, with a lunch reception to follow at the Knights of Columbus.
If friends and family so desire, please make memorial donations to the Northern Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
