The family invites you to watch the Celebration of Bob's Life. Please click here

Bob Shepherd passed away at Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the age of 85. Bob was pre-deceased by his beloved spouse, Ethel; parents, Doug and Mel Shepherd; and sister, Barbara. He is survived by daughter, Sharon, her husband Dan Dechka, and sons, Blake (Aly) and Kirk (Larissa); and son, Ken, his wife Laurie, and daughters, Riley and Rayna; as well as sisters, Dianne Krahn (Al) and Bev Preston (Bruce), and brother, Jim Shepherd (Dawn).

Bob grew up in the Brandon Hills area, where his love of the outdoors and activities like hunting and fishing began. Some of his life highlights included hunting and fishing trips with lifelong friends, Sid, Cyril, Gordon and Bill.

Bob and Ethel were married in 1961in Dauphin. They welcomed Sharon to their family in 1963 and Ken followed in 1966. In 1972, Bob, Ethel, Sharon and Ken moved to the Green Acres area. Bob quickly became a community leader, with active involvement in Green Acres Community Centre. Bob assumed many roles, including ice keeper; builder; and executive member. Bob was a key member of the committed group who brought together Brandon Minor Hockey and Brandon Community Centers to form the Brandon Youth Hockey Association (now Hockey Brandon). He served on the executive of BYHA for several years. Bob's favorite role was that of coach. He helped form and coach a very successful girls' fastball team, with Sharon as a key member. He later coached Ken in hockey and enjoyed great success at the Midget level. Bob also enjoyed playing fastball himself, as part of the Crane Clippers Fastball Club.

Bob was a multi-talented person. He seemed to be able to learn anything, from fixing cars (Thanks, Dad!) to construction. He built two cottages at Clear Lake for his family and instilled the "lake life" in his children. Bob and Ethel's cabin was often littered with bodies, as they welcomed any and all of their kid's friends to crash at the cabin.

In his professional life, Bob was the Manager at Crane Supply Plumbing Wholesale and later served as General Manager of Cornell Plumbing and Heating.

Bob's favorite title of all was "Grampa"! He mellowed almost instantly when Blake was born, and he was thrilled to have two Grandsons and two Granddaughters. We are thankful that he was able to be so involved with them as they grew up and see them all start their own successful adult lives. He spoke often of how proud he was of each Grandchild, and how he wished Ethel was still with him to enjoy more moments together. Bob and Ethel were also very loving caregivers to many dogs and "Grand dogs" over the years!

With Ethel's passing in 2019, Bob's heart was broken. It was only recently, within the last year, where we started to notice a return of that twinkle in his eyes. We are so thankful for this. Thank you to Victoria Landing and Home Care staff for providing the care he needed over the past couple of years.

A Celebration of Bob's Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, Brandon, MB on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Casual dress is encouraged.

Flowers are gratefully declined. The family requests donations be made to any of the following charities:

1. Cancer Care Manitoba
www. cancercare.mb.ca

2. BRHC Foundation
www.brhcfoundation.ca

3. Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund
www.burnfundmb.ca

4. Alzheimer Society of Manitoba
www.alzheimer.mb.ca