Obituary of Robert Warren Termuende

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Warren Termuende (Bob), a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.  Bob was born in Kenton, Manitoba on February 7th, 1930, in a room above his parents’ store. He considered himself a “Depression Baby” and was always proud of his prairie roots.  At age 15, he moved with his parents to British Columbia in June 1945.

 

After completing high school in Surrey, Bob had a brief stint at the University of Manitoba and then was drafted into the US army in 1951 while working for his brother-in-law at the Kaiser Aluminum plant in Spokane, Washington.  After years of watching planes fly overhead with the Commonwealth Air Training Program in Manitoba, Bob was eager to serve.  Earning the rank of Master Sergeant, Bob was a tank commander in the 114^th Armored Division serving in post-WWII Germany.  He often spoke fondly of his military service and the structure and regimen it instilled in him. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to Canada, earning a bachelor’s degree in geological sciences at UBC on a scholarship provided by the US GI Bill.

 

Bob had a long and distinguished career as a professional geologist.  His early years in the resource industry included a brief stint with Chevron in California, then memorable summers with the Geological Survey of Canada and travelling by horseback mapping the rugged BC stratigraphy.  Later, working in the Canadian oil and gas sector based out of Calgary, Bob was the exploration manager for Great Plains Development Corporation in the mid-1960’s and was one of the early explorers for uranium in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan.  In 1970, he founded Rio Alto Exploration and found early success in a remote area of the Yukon at a project named Rusty Springs, located 160 km west of Eagle Plains.  Coming out of his first retirement, Bob then founded Kenton Natural Resources in the early 1980’s which was later renamed Pacalta Resources.  In 1992, he and son Tim re-staked Rusty Springs and co-founded Eagle Plains Resources and Miner River Resources which amalgamated in 1999, Bob then retired for the second time.

 

Bob married Orma Longworth in Lafleche, Saskatchewan in August 1958. They lived in Saskatchewan, Ontario, then in BC for two years of ranching near Pavilion.  They bought their first house in Cochrane, Alberta in 1971.  In 1978, Bob and Orma bought Wild Horse Farm at Fort Steele, British Columbia where they lived for 40 years.  Wild Horse Farm focused prominently in Bob’s life as he and Orma worked tirelessly to maintain the charm and beauty of the house and grounds through countless hours of mowing interrupted by watering to keep the grass and fields green.  In 2018, he and Orma moved to Cranbrook to an idyllic smaller home and yard with beautiful lawns and gardens and a creek running through the property.

 

After moving to Cranbrook, Bob became an enthusiastic member of Rotary International and gave generously of his time and energy.  Bob was honored in 2023 with the Rotarian of the Year award from the Rotary Club of Cranbrook. In Bob’s final week of his life, he was awarded the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal, recognizing those who have made significant contributions to Canada, their home province, and their community.

 

Bob had always said and firmly believed that “the journey is the destination.”  Bob was a wanderer, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles on his countless road-trips travelling the world, including driving from Cochrane, Alberta to the deep south of Mexico with Orma and their three kids (and their poodle) in a VW camper van in the early 70’s, driving from Fort Steele to Costa Rica just shy of his 70th birthday, and most recently driving solo to Mazatlán to celebrate his 90th birthday.  Bob was known for his many road trips.  It was not uncommon for him to reach the destination only to turn around the next day for his return adventure – embodying that the journey is the destination.

 

An avid photographer, Bob had a keen eye for capturing the beauty of the world around him. His photographs, much like his life, were filled with rich detail and an appreciation for adventure.  A small smattering of these photos, as well as photos taken by friends and family, can be seen here

 

Bob is survived by his wife, Orma, and his three sons, Michael, Tim (Joyce), and Rob (Lesley), who were the pride and joy of his life. He was a cherished grandfather to Jessica, Shelley, Eric (Gillian), Joel, Gavin, and Anna, each of whom carries a piece of his adventurous spirit.  Bob’s legacy will live on through the memories he created and the lives that he touched. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

 

In keeping with Bob’s indomitable spirit, his last journey was definitely one that embodied his ideas and philosophies.  Having recently suffered a fall brought on by a heart challenge, Bob was able to leave this earth on his own terms with honour and dignity, a smile on his face and a profound sense of accomplishment.

 

It was Bob’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Rotary Club of Cranbrook.