Mr. Robert Sidney Youmans, age 94, passed away peacefully at Pioneer Ridge on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 with family by his side.
Bob, along with his twin brother Billy, was born on August 31, 1927 in Marks Township in the District of Thunder Bay. Bob and Billy did chores on the family farm from the very young age of six … thereby learning all about responsibility and hard work!
Bob’s first paid job at sixteen, was hauling supplies by tractor for McDevitt Timber … a 35 mile trip from MacDiarmid, across 28 miles of frozen Lake Nipigon, then over another portage to another lake to a bush camp. Having seen wolf packs on numerous occasions; his greatest fear was the tractor might freeze up on his journey! His next job was for three years with Pigeon Timber at Neys, ON near the Prisoner of War camps.
On May 3, 1948, at the “ripe old age of twenty” Bob married his wife Irene. Irene predeceased him on May 31, 2019 after 71 years of marriage … a milestone that very few have had the opportunity to achieve!
Bob also worked briefly in bush camps, operated heavy equipment for Abitibi Pulp and Paper and drove truck for McLeod Cartage. Then Bob and Bill both worked for Lakehead Freightways, with Bob leaving his job there to join Trans Canada Pipelines on April 7, 1958. Bob retired in 1995 after 37 years of service! While employed there, he was a compression station operator, heavy equipment operator, driver trainer and inspector. After retirement, he worked for McKevitt Trucking Ltd. for two years as a driver trainer.
Although Bob officially retired from paid employment … he never REALLY retired, as his mother-in-law Helen Peterson proclaimed, “He was the best chauffeur and errand boy in the world!” Bob was always ready to help family, his church family at Calvary Lutheran Church, and friends and neighbours at 20 Walkover Street even on short notice … driving them to Sweet G’s for lunch, hair appointments and running errands and much more. Bob was always patient, kind, understanding, thoughtful … strong in his faith in God! He had a fun-loving sense of humour ... He LOVED to tease and play jokes, especially on his twin brother Bill! In his SPARE time Bob liked to golf, fish, hunt and take trips with Billy to visit family in Tillsonburg, ON.
Besides his wife Irene, Bob was predeceased by his parents William and Mabel Youmans; brothers Howard and Hilton; sisters Hazel and Celia; brother- in- laws Ray Pitkanen, Art Wickstrom; sister- in-laws Shirley Youmans, Marlene Pitkanen and several other family members.
Left to lovingly remember Bob, are Bill Youmans, Arlene Youmans, Shirley Wickstrom, Diane and Ken Warpula, Roy and Helmi Peterson, Ron Mitchell, numerous nephews and nieces and dear friends.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes there will be no funeral. If friends so desire; donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Cancer Society or charities of your choice!
“Happy trails to you Bob … until we meet again!
