June 6, 1955 - July 24, 2022
Robi was born in Vienna, Austria. At age 4 he took a week long journey with his Mom and Dad and 7yr old sister, Ursula, across the Atlantic to Montreal, and then a 3 day train trip to Vancouver where he was reunited with his Grandmother (Omi) and met Uncle Joe, Aunty Betty and cousin Robbie. His brother Tommy, and sisters Monica and Karin, along with cousins Joe, Anne and George all joined in the family circle as they were born.
Many fun filled camping trips and weekend get togethers along with holiday celebrations were the highlights of those early days until age 16 when his family, (except Ursula), moved back to Vienna in 1970.
There he trained as a sign painter, became a skilled chess player with his friends in the coffee houses, taught himself classical Spanish guitar and dabbled in poetry and drawing. In 1973 he was drafted so decided to move back to Canada, where Ursula was living in Nakusp.
He tried tree planting...not his thing; then started working at the Columbia River Shake and Shingle Mill with Dick Jones. He stayed there until it closed, then also Box Lake Lumber until his retirement. Overall he liked Nakusp just fine and made several good friends there.
He wasn't much for traveling and made his last trip to visit his Mom, Dad and siblings in 2012. He also leaves behind nephews Jerry, Arin, Bernhard and niece Miriam and grand nieces Maya, Chloe and Josefina.
Favourite memories include: his huge smiles and laughs; strong bear hugs; spirituality; love and care for others; last big family gathering in 1982 at grandma (Omi's) funeral; boat rides on Arrow Lake; carrying his little sister, Karin on his shoulders; tears of sadness and joy mixed over classical concert Blue Danube and last sight of Vienna from up high tower; first cinema Gulliver's Travels with sister Monica, wrestling with brother Tommy; sharing Ursula's wedding with his Mom and nephew, Roman; and he loved onion pie......
Rob, you have been, still are and will continue to be sorely missed by more than you can count.
The family will hold a quiet vigil for him at a later date.