Robin Blake Webster, age 86 years, passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday, May 13th, 2022, surrounded by the love of his family.
Robin was born in Boksburg, South Africa on May 12th,1936 to Kenneth Gray Webster and Winnifred Ethel Webster (nee Blake).
Growing up in Boksburg and Kliprivier, he first attended Christian Brothers College and was involved in sports such as rugby, shooting, cricket and highland dance and then spent two years at Rhodes University studying Geology and Chemistry. He worked in what was then Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in the field as a geological assistant before immigrating to Canada and attending McGill University to further his geology studies. He played on the McGill Rugby Team and during summers he worked in remote areas of Northern Quebec, Labrador and the Northwest Territories experiencing the drastic change in temperature and environment from Africa to the cold winters in Northern Canada.
After graduating in 1965 he worked for INCO in Shebandowan which is when he learned to fly from instructor Elizabeth Wieben – they fell in love and were married in 1966. He actually did his dual cross-country training flight while flying to New Orleans for their honeymoon. Robin worked as a field exploration geologist for INCO until 1980, working in remote areas such as the Shebandowan mine, and then moving to Western Australia with Elizabeth where their first two sons were born. Afterwards, returning back to Canada to Sudbury where their daughter was born. His final job with INCO was in Spokane, Washington where their third son was born. He returned to the Thunder Bay area in 1980 to run WiebenAir with Elizabeth until 1988, and then worked varying roles for the Ministry of Tourism, Noranda Mining and Wilderness North.
Robin was a pilot, an avid sailor, curler, and family man. He had a big heart and loved his family immensely, and it was evident in his daily actions. He liked to putter and fix things, and could often be seen outside working on various projects, or lending a hand to neighbors and family. He spent much of his time outdoors, including doing winter sports while his children were young, but once they were independent, he faithfully kept the rink cleared for them each winter regardless of the temperatures.
Robin is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Wieben and his children Colin (Ibi), Kenneth (Daila), Roberta (Robert), and Don (Tiffany). He will be missed by his grandchildren Matthew, Caelin, Blake, Beth, Carys, Ryla and Fenna as well as Elizabeth’s siblings Donald Wieben (Margaret) and Katherine Oldham (nee Wieben), brothers-in-law Ray Davies, Edwin Barker and numerous nieces and nephews both in Canada and South Africa.
He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Shirley (Ray Davies) and Gillian (Edwin Barker) as well as Elizabeth’s parents Orville Wieben and Roberta (Bobbie) Wieben (nee Boyd) and Elizabeth’s siblings Roberta Taylor (nee Wieben) and Howard Wieben.
A Visitation for Robin will be held on Monday, May 16, 2022 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the EVEREST – WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street. A private family interment will be held at a later date in Mountainview Cemetery.
Thanks to Dr. Krupa, Dr. Tassone, Dr. Laferriere, Dr. Ramchander, Dr. Melton, Dr. Gehman and the many wonderful nurses, for their continued care and support over the years.
Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Robin to the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Clinic would be greatly appreciated.
