Obituary
Walter William Robson, 90, of Dauphin, MB passed away on December 8th, 2021 at the DRHC. Palliative care staff and family maintained his comfort during his battle with cancer.
Wally was born on February 26, 1931 to Mary and Fred Robson and farmed and raised a family on what became a Century Farm, while also providing a life of public service to his town, province and country.
He married Doreen Chute (Chutie) on August 29, 1953 and is survived by his wife and four children; Shannon, Lori, Michele and Burton, eight grandchildren; Donovan, Dustin, Cole, Landan, Jordan, Paige, Hunter and Mason, and two great grandchildren; Liam and Caden.
Grandpa Wally was very proud of Paige Robson-Cramer, being his only granddaughter, calling her “The Princess Royale”. He had an especially close relationship with his 2 eldest grandsons Donovan and Dustin, because living in Winnipeg they were just a Grey Hound bus ride away. They speak of their grandpa as a wonderful father figure who imparted wise teachings and took them on amazing outings.
He claimed his 68-year marriage to Doreen as his “finest accomplishment.” Their devotion to each other was inspirational. In the past, Wally would serenade Doreen, his “truly, truly, fair”, with old love songs and over the years presented her with bushels of roses.
Wally attended Old Dauphin School, then DCI High, and was a Boy Scout, Air Cadet and in the Army Reserves as a boy in the 1940s. In January 1949, at 17 years, Wally joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He saw combat during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 aboard the destroyer HMCS Cayuga. Leading Seaman Robson then served aboard the cruiser HMCS Ontario and was present at Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Coronation as a service member of the Commonwealth Fleet Review.
In 2015, Veteran Robson was flown to Seoul, South Korea and was awarded the nation’s Medal of Freedom. He was a very proud 65-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 20, and served a term as Sargent At Arms. Seaman Robson and his ship are featured on the Legion’s Main Street mural. He was also involved in cadet training.
Wally always self identified as a Farmer above all. However, he had a parallel 31 year career in Corrections starting as a Jail Guard, then Councilor, then Superintendent of the Dauphin Correctional Institute. The Governor General of Canada awarded W. W. Robson the Distinguished Service Medal in Corrections.
Serving Dauphin as a School Trustee, Wally went on to become the President of the Manitoba Association of School Trustees and the President of the Canadian School Trustee Association. He guided the building of the DRCSS and was a fervent advocate for funding resources and training for rural Canada.
A warm family memory occurred in the 1970’s when Wally and his son Burton planted and later harvested beautiful scotch pines from his north farm and sold them to many rural and town repeat customers at Christmas time. Another fond remembrance of Wally is how he became an avid camera man with winnings gained from a local Lions Club draw. He bought 8 mm camera gear (and later a Betamax) and recorded every family occasion thereafter including two family camping trips to B.C. and one to South Dakota.
“Walleye” was an ardent sportsman: hunter, fisherman, boater, snowmobiler, golfer, curler, pool and card player and was a participant with associated Dauphin clubs and conservation orgs. He manufactured professional grade fishing rods that he sold at Sticky’s. He was an Advanced PADI SCUBA Diver and completed two Manitoba Marathons. For many years, Wally participated in the Russell Lions Club Classic Fishing Derby with friends, and later his daughter Michele and the two oldest grandsons.
For a couple decades Wally and Doreen were snowbirds, fortunate to spent winters in Holiday Village in Mesa, Arizona, a seasonal life where Wally also lead hiking, golfing, billiard and card club and veteran group activities.
With the help of his brother-in-law Elgin Chute, Wally fully restored his 1935 Farmall F12 Tractor and became President of the Dauphin Agricultural Heritage Club. Many saw Wally at threshing events or town fairs where he timed his chicken hatching for delighted children. He was a staple at Dauphin parades, either pulling a float with his vintage tractor or leading the Legion contingent marching as the Flag Bearer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the MS Society of Canada and/or the Canadian Cancer Society. And simply hug the ones you love every chance you get.
The Robson family would like to thank Dr. Penrose and all the staff on the 2nd floor of DRHC for the care and compassion they showed Wally and his family. We would also like to thank the Dauphin and District Handivan Association – Craig, Ashley and Greg for their exemplary service and kindness during a very difficult time.
A celebration of life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #20 on Thursday, December 30th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This will be a come and go tea. For those wishing to attend the Poppy Service in honour of Wally, it will commence at 1:00 p.m.
Covid gathering restrictions will be followed and proof of vaccination will be required in order to attend.
To paraphrase an old Royal Canadian Navy toast, “Here’s to Wally Robson… and those like him… damn few left.”
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter William Robson, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Walter William Robson February 26 1931 December 8 2021 (age 90)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Décès pour la Ville: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba