BLOW, Robert A

October 21, 1943 — July 6, 2018

He was a man who lived life on his terms, ever grasping the bull by both horns and crossing boundaries for all he was worth. He was of the opinion that, if one is enough, then two or three or four can only be better, better and better. Excess all the way. His unique sense of humor and quick wit was tinged with an intellect, that sometimes bordered on the absurd. That, in a nutshell, was Robert Alfred Blow.

The greatest irony was, contrary to being so single minded and willful, he was a devoted husband, loving father, brother, son, uncle, loyal friend and, most recently, proud grandfather. In his wildest dreams he never imagined he would live long enough to have grandchildren. His family was his anchor. Those who knew him and loved him in his private life could be enamoured and infuriated all at once, yet it was his brutal honesty and unwavering love that kept the waters calm when a tempest was brewing.

Bob was born in Selkirk, Manitoba on October 21, 1943, the youngest child of Irene and Jack, little brother to Margaret Anne. He grew up on the family farm, took piano lessons from Miss Thompson in Winnipeg on Saturdays, then headed west to seek his musical fortune in 1967 with a band called the Wiggy Symphony. Plenty of water flowed under the bridge of his professional and personal life before he met Nancy in 1980 and married her in 1985. They raised two sons – Matthew and Michael. Their partnership continued for the rest of Bob’s life, while Bob’s career in music – always a defining aspect of who he was – continued to evolve.

As a musician and entertainer, Bob had a larger-than-life personality that made him instantly likeable. He played keyboard and guitar professionally from about age 14 through to his fifties. To witness Bob’s charisma on stage was a memory to cherish. He shone, passion emanating from his very being. Bob’s natural people skills and magnetism continued to serve him (and his customers) well in the hardware department of the Kelowna Rona store where he worked for more than 15 years, until 2014. People would come to that store in search of Bob, to get his take on their project, then exchange personal stories. Sadly, in the years prior to his retirement, Bob lost his joie de vivre. Once so high-spirited and full of life, by the time he quit working he ended up isolating himself at home rather than embracing new opportunities and experiences.

Bob’s life ended all too soon at 74 years of age, his body ravaged by liver disease. Heartfelt thanks to Doctor Tara Sebulsky for her no-nonsense attitude, and the caring support she provided to Bob over the years he was her patient. Enough can’t be said about the incredible team at Cottonwoods Cadder Court unit, and the tender, respectful care they administered until the moment of his passing on July 6, 2018. The family will be forever grateful to them for making Bob’s final days as comfortable as possible for him, and by extension more bearable for them. Ultimately, Bob’s family knows how blessed they were to have had a compassionate, supportive network of friends standing by, ready to lend a hand, give a hug, provide a meal or companionship, whatever, without even being asked.

Bob is survived by his wife Nancy, sons Matthew (Kyla) and Michael (Kirsten), grandsons Thompson and Atticus, niece Jill and nephew Rob. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister.

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