Joseph Robert “Bob” Ernest Beland
July 29, 1945 – September 29, 2021
Born to Francis and Therase Beland in Edmonton, Alberta, Bob was one of eight children. He enjoyed spending time with each of his siblings and their families throughout the years – good times always filled with love, laughter, and reminiscing about the good old days!
Bob spent most of his childhood in Morinville, Alberta and Drayton Valley, Alberta. As a young man, Bob worked doing various jobs working in the oil patch (fencing, wire line truck and oil pumps) before joining the Air Force January 14, 1963 at the age of 17. After 10 weeks of Basic Training in St. Jean, Quebec, he went to Borden, Ontario for Administrative Training (now known as Human Resources Administration) and ultimately worked at many Canadian Armed Forces Bases in various sections (Recruiting, Base Orderly Rooms, and Personnel Administration).
Bob’s career expanded over 47 years with the Federal Government:
- Regular Force – 1963-1988
- Civil Service – 1988-1991
- Reserve Force – 1991-2010 (Retiring as a Warrant Officer, July 28, 2010)
Bob’s final posting was at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria, BC in 1981. Although he loved being in Victoria, his favourite posting was spent in Egypt for six months on a Peace Keeping Mission in 1974.
During his career, Bob was recognized for his hard work and dedication and was awarded the:
- Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal
- UN Emergency Force Middle East Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
- Canadian Forces Decoration – 3rd Clasp (representing 32 years in the Regular/Reserve Force).
Family was the most important thing to Bob. Bob was blessed to have a wife of 35 years, 3 sons, a daughter and 5 grandchildren. He loved them all and hopes they always remember to cherish the memories they had with him. His greatest joy was being a Husband, a Father and a Grandfather!!
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Bob loved to go off by himself and fish off the rocks at various locations on Vancouver Island. He loved to read, watch TV and go for long drives, exploring the Island and taking trips to Vancouver and Alberta to see family. Bob loved things “all space." He loved to watch documentaries on space and one of his favourite TV shows was Star Trek. When he was younger, he wanted to be an Astronaut and even as an adult, would have loved to go to the moon! Although he doesn’t quite make it to the moon, a rocket launch, experiencing zero gravity is a close second and is another adventure he can check it off his “bucket list." A DREAM FULFILLED!
Bob
I remember you in a thousand different ways. In the morning, at night when I look at the stars, a special day, a song, a place, a smell. ILY Forever Denise |
