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Robert John “Bob” Swanstrom passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 16, 2024, at the age of 93. Bob was born in 1931 to Oscar Swanstrom and Grace Countryman in Mancelona, Michigan. Bob later moved to Forest Ontario, along with his parents and siblings, Clifford, Ellen, Ervin, Arnold, and Dorothy. Not long after arriving in Forest, Bob met the love of his life and wife, June of almost 72 years. They settled in Sarnia, where they welcomed a daughter, Karen (the late Michael) and a son, Bob Jr (Catherine; the late Nancy).
Bob was a brilliant problem solver who welcomed practical challenges. After completing night school to obtain an instrument technologist designation, Bob became a leader in the field of Instrumentation, spanning a 50-year career in maintenance, engineering, and teaching. Some of his key contributions included employment at Hiram Walkers (Windsor), Suncor (Sarnia), several engineering contract firms and as an Instructor at Lambton College.
While his children were young and while working full time, Bob – on his own and self-taught in an era before the internet – built two houses from the foundation up. He was able to figure out and fix any problem that he encountered.
Bob loved the outdoors. He remarked that some of the best years of his life were spending summers at the cottage near Bobcaygeon, Ontario and winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the Airstream trailer he shared with June. In his earlier years, he was an avid hunter next to his beloved dog, Penny. Bob loved fishing, particularly for walleye, spending almost five decades with his family on the Kawartha Lakes.
Above all, Bob loved his family. He cherished his “Junie” with whom he travelled the world and shared a lifetime’s worth of memories. Bob was a devoted and loving father to his children, a supportive older brother to his siblings, and a caring uncle to many nieces and nephews. He especially loved his grandchildren, Krista, Shaun (Corrie), Peter, and Leah, and his great-grandchildren, Briar and Ash, who brought enormous joy and pride to his life.
Bob lived a remarkable life and will be in our hearts forever.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation held from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, sympathy may be expressed through donations to the Canadian Wildlife Fund or the Sarnia & District Humane Society (cheques only at the funeral home please).
June 22nd 1931 August 16th 2024
Death notice for the town of: Sarnia, Province: Ontario
death notice Robert John “Bob Swanstrom June 22nd 1931 August 16th 2024
obituaries notice Robert John “Bob Swanstrom June 22nd 1931 August 16th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert John “Bob Swanstrom June 22nd 1931 August 16th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
