We Remember
KANE, Robert Wilson Leonard (Bob Jr.)
June 1, 1938 — July 9, 2016
Passed away July 9, 2016, at age 78. Bob was an entertaining man who enjoyed a party, loved to dance, tell a good story and have a drink (or two) and a smoke (or two). He didn’t think his resume of indulgences was full enough so later in life he added gambling to the mix. Born in Lethbridge, Alberta in June, 1938, he became the spoiled eldest child of Bob (Sr.) and Doris Kane. Junior lived life on his own terms and was involved with motorcycling throughout his childhood, so after several years as owner of the Western Gem Hotel and Saloon in Drumheller, Alberta, where he perfected his skills in shot pouring and storytelling, Bob moved to Kelowna with his wife Arlene, and soon after opened Kane’s Harley-Davidson which he ran successfully alongside his son Blair for over three decades. For those lucky enough to have known Bob, they understand what a ‘larger than life character’ he really was. Listening to him tell a story or give his opinion on any topic always made for lively and colorful conversation. Bob’s greatest passion was motorcycles and the motorcycle world loved him back. Every year hundreds would come to celebrate his birthday with a motorcycle ride in his honor. He was a wonderful husband, partner, father, grandfather and friend. The world is a poorer place now without Bob Kane Jr – his laughter and his Harley are quiet.
To commemorate Bob’s life a memorial celebration will be held at The Kelowna Yacht Club, Sunday, July 17th at 1:00 pm. For those wishing to participate in Bob’s Last Ride, a motorcycle processional will assemble at the Harley-Davidson dealership at 888 McCurdy Place at 11:30am leaving at noon to ride to the Yacht Club.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Sunday, July 17th at 1:00 pm
Location
Kelowna Yacht Club
Condolences from Jodie @ HD of Edmonton. Very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I never had the chance to meet the man but the Harley world is greater for having had him a part of it for the last 30 some years!
The Harley Davidson Dealer Family has lost a great friend . Bob wrote his own book of processes. He also had a very clear view of how he saw the world. We enjoyed many conversations ,some happy some not so happy trying to change his view of the world and how we wanted him to represent the Harley -Davidson Brand. Behind the smoke screen and rough and raspy voice was a man with a heart of gold for his fellow rider. The rider just had to see the world as he did. We travelled many miles though our many business encounters and enjoyed many laughs. He was always very proud of his family even when they did not necessary agree. Bob Kanes JR was an institution in the Harley World in Canada and one of the people who built the Motorcycle community to what it is today . Ride in Piece Bob.
Thanks Malcolm. Dad really did write his own rules. And I think we’re all better for it. He was a special kind of man. Spoiled, stubborn, and opinionated but we loved even more because of it. When gave you a smile you knew you were loved. We will miss him.
My deepest sympathies to all the families and huge number of friends of Bob.
I am very sorry to lose a dear friend.
All these years of helping us keep the shiny side up……. YOU are definitely on the shiny side now Bob!
Love and best wishes .
Denney
My first long trip to the states with the HOG group and Bob came with us. We shared a meal and he was the life of the party with some amazing stories. Then we lost him and I was worried about him but found out later he left our group and went to the casino. I was told he was enjoying his passions and would travel his own road. For several years I got to ride with Bob and watch him enjoy his rides and enjoy life to the fullest. Bob has touched my life and made me realize to live life to the fullest.
My deepest sympathies to the entire Kane Family. Gary & I shared many good times with Bob & Arlene. Bob will be missed.
My deepest sympathies to the entire Kane Family. Gary & I shared a lot of good times with Bob & Arlene. Bob will be missed.
To Blair & Leanne, we send heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of Bob. He was always fun to talk to, and knew the bike industry inside out. His annual birthday ride was the best, and we still have the birthday shirt from a few years ago.
I first met Bob in 1989. He kinda scared me, suspenders and all! I got over it quickly and in the years that followed realized how lucky I was to come in contact with such a unique, one off type man. Whenever he was in the store I made a point of talking to him about life and anything else non motorcycle. I always walked away with a smile on my face. I rode to his birthday party in Grindrod last year and he never showed up. Too funny! I’ll remember you, and I’ll miss you Bob …
Bill Sinclair
thanks Bill. Those suspenders!! And the glasses filled with cigarette ash that hung around his neck! But the crazy thing is we all loved them! You know he didn’t turn up to his own birthday last year because he didn’t feel like putting on his pants that day. He was one of a kind that’s for sure and he will be missed by so many. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, we appreciate it a lot. Blair & Leanne
I had the pleasure of video interviewing Bob last year for the HOG Okanagan Chapter’s 25th Anniversary. The interview was fun as he didn’t have his hearing aides so we had to almost shout back and forth! It was great to hear him tell his story. But most poignant of all were the stories so many early HOG members shared with me of a man who always went the extra mile to make sure people could ride, whatever it took, he did it. They weren’t just customers they were his Harley family. RIP Bob, and condolences to Blair & Leanne, and all the Kane family.
My deepest sympathies to the Kane Family. I will miss you Bob.
Mr. Kanes straight-forward conversations, passion and knowledge of motorcycling and business will be missed. I send heartfelt condolences to Blair, Leanne and the entire Kane family and to their closest friends.
Our deepest condolences to the Kane Family – Bob will certainly be missed. He would always take the time to tell a story. He was passionate about keeping riders on the road and would do whatever it took! Thanks for all the great memories Bob!!!
My deepest sympathies to the Kane Families, I knew him thru the Harley Owners Group family while I worked at Deeley’s
Harley-Davidson and the Kane family have been intertwined for decades; both are all about independence and taking life on their own terms. Bob Jr. was all that and more; an institution in the Deeley Harley-Davidson Retailer family, although he bristled at that inclusion. You always knew where you stood with Bob and if you were on the receiving end of one of his “looks” over his perpetually-perched-on-the-end-of-his-nose reading glasses, you paid attention! He always marched to the beat of his own drummer but was a dedicated family man and motorcyclist. He transformed the presence of the Harley-Davidson Brand in the Okanagan – a legacy further cultivated by Blair and Leanne. Another one of our motorcycling icons, our treasures, have left us the poorer for their passing. To Blair, Leanne, Byron, Donna, Richard, and the rest of the Kane family and friends, my heartfelt sympathy.
My sincere sympathy to the siblings and families of Bob Kane. As a longtime friend of Laureen in Lethbridge, I want you all to know that I am sharing your grief while you mourn the lost of your brother
I’m very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. My deepest condolences to the Kane Family.
I was saddened to read the passing of Bob jr. My condolences go out to the Family and the kids. It was in september when I came to canada in 1967. Bob sr. and Bob jr. were in the store on 17th ave in Calgary. There it was my First job as motorcycle Mechanic.I remember the kids as very small, and used to go for rides in braggcreek on weekends,and rode my arctic cat in races in the winter, Those are things I remember and always had fun working there. So rest in Peace Bob and strength to the family in these times of sorrow. We will all miss you.
What can I say, I’ve known Bob since we were teenagers. he hired me as his first “mechanic” at his MC shop in Lethbridge. We’ve been lifelong friends traveling to Sturgis together with friends in the early sixties, entered hill climbs and trials, raced quarter mile, ran enduros, and did pretty well anything else that was fun on a bike. We trailered together, camped together, he even shared his kids with my wife and I as passengers on those trips. We’ve stayed in contact through all these years and spent the last few winters in Arizona together. I’ve always been close to the Kane family, and Bob has always been my best friend. I’ll see you later Bob.
In 1959, at the age of 13, I first met Bob when I bought from him the first Honda Super Cub sold in Alberta, or so he told me when I picked it up at the old Kane’s Motorcycle Shop in Lethbridge. The shop became my second home for many years, where he always made me feel welcome despite my youth and naivety. RIP Bob, from “Billy”.
To Blair and family. Was so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. If you remember I worked for him at the Western Gem. Enjoyed all the Sunday parties we had as well sometimes in your little travel trailer – sometimes in the bar and sometimes in your suite upstairs. Truly enjoyed working for him and your mom. The world is a dimmer place. May he ride forever in the sunset.