September 12, 1929 – December 2, 2022

William Robert (Bob) Neufeld went to be with his Heavenly Father on December 2, 2022 at the age of 93 years. Family, Fitness, Faith and Service were the cornerstones of Bob’s life and he stood steadfastly to them.

Bob was a lifelong resident of Grande Prairie except for his years at the U of A where he completed his B. Ed degree and a 2 year teaching assignment for the Canadian Armed forces in Germany. A natural teacher and mentor, he impacted the lives of many he met on his journey.

Upon completion of his B. Ed degree he returned home to teach PE at the Composite High School for 30 yrs. Together with his wife June they built a home and welcomed many a soul for a heartfelt visit around their kitchen table where encouragement and laughter flowed freely from their generous hearts.

Bob began his professional teaching career in 1955 and quickly became an outdoor education trailblazer as the curriculum he developed was adopted across the province and beyond. His enthusiasm for nature along with his deep personal faith and love for youth education were instrumental in the creation of Camp Wapiti in 1963. While teaching in Germany Bob earned his Alpine Ski Instructors Certification which later became the basis for Pro Ski Adventure at the Nighthawk Ski Area. Bob loved this growing community of professionals and instructed and volunteered continuously. His great grandkids enjoyed Bob’s last lesson on Bob’s Bump this last March. After he retired from teaching he took on the job of host and guardian at the Two Lakes Recreation Area where he was fondly referred to as Ranger Bob. Another accomplishment born of his passion for God’s creation was securing protective status for the Wild Kakwa region.

His latter years consisted of daily treks to A&W to coffee with friends (and strangers) and volunteering as singer/entertainer at various senior homes in the area.

Bob was a precious presence in his faith community, McLaurin Baptist Church. Born the same year as the church was formed, his first visit was as a child in his mother’s arms in the early thirties. It would soon become his home church, where he grew, was baptized, served, led, and loved, right up until his last visit on Thanksgiving Sunday 2022.

When asked about how he wanted to be remembered, Bob said ‘I want people to know that I loved the Lord, I loved my family, I loved my church, I loved God’s Camp Wapiti and I loved my Nitehawk Ski Community.’

Bob leaves to celebrate his life, his wife of 66 years June (Allen), his daughter Jody (Dave) Penner and their three sons and families: Kaleb (Bev) Orion (Keshia) and Tal (Rebecca) and his son Barry (Ronda) and their two sons, Gideon and Nolan, and his deceased son Bobby’s daughter, Teresa (Andrew) and her family in Ottawa.

Bob is survived by his siblings: Margaret (Dan) Froese, Ron (Verna) Neufeld and Stan (Helen) Neufeld and their extended families.

He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Annie Neufeld, later his stepfather, Gene Kuykendall and his chosen son, Bobby Neufeld.

A funeral service for Bob will be held on Sunday, December 11 at 3:30 at People’s Church 11850 108 Street Grande Prairie.

A light lunch will follow at McLaurin Baptist Church 10913 107 Avenue Grande Prairie AB

Donations in memory of Bob can be made to Nitehawk Ski or Camp Wapiti.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com

 

 

 

• Date : 2022-12-02
• Location : Grande Prairie, Alberta

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