We Remember
REID, Robert Charles
October 2, 1972 — March 20, 2024
Robert Charles Reid “Rob” passed away suddenly on March 20, 2024, after returning from a jog while on vacation in Boston. His loss was completely unexpected, and his family is profoundly saddened.
His loving wife Richelle and his adoring children Katie (Blake), Ben (Sydney) and Jesse were all by his side as he went to join his mother.
Rob was born in Saskatoon on October 2,1972, to Chuck and Gloria (decd.) Reid. He was one of 5 siblings; Joe (Lyla), Rick (Bea), Tim (Cheryl) and Cathy (Bruce) are all mourning his loss.
Also left in mourning are his in-laws Rick and Debbie Brodsky, Brandi and Devon.
The number of nieces, nephews, extended family, and the huge number of close friends who are devastated are too many to note here.
Rob’s devotion to his family is what defined him. To say he adored Richelle (his Chellie) does not come close to describing his love and commitment to her. She was his everything.
His love for his children was the truest, deepest example of ‘the best dad anyone could have’. Katie is like him in so many ways, and he ‘got’ her like no one else does.
Ben was his best buddy, and if you ever heard or saw them watching a football game that was apparent. Jesse, his baby and favourite skiing partner, had a special bond with him being the last one to leave home. The hours of card games, silly antics and teaching moments he had with his kids will be with them forever. He was so incredibly proud of each one of them. Their successes will continue to make him smile down on them.
Rob worked in his dad’s hardware store (Reid’s Hardware – Sutherland) as a youth, and eventually he got a degree in education, which began his career as an elementary school teacher. He enjoyed teaching English (and reading to his kids) and Science (especially experiments) but mostly he loved gym and playing with his kids at recess every single day. The cards, the letters and the tears at the end of every school year were a testament to the love and care he put into developing the lives of his pupils. By the number of Christmas and end of year gifts with New York Giants emblems on them, it’s quite apparent he also created a lot of new fans for the Giants.
Rob’s two favourite pastimes were golf and the New York Giants. He was the most devoted and knowledgeable football fan imaginable. Traveling with Ben to see games in New York was a highlight.
Rob was a scratch golfer, winning many club championships in Saskatoon and Kelowna as well as amateur competitions in Saskatchewan.
He also loved skiing, especially during the years Jesse and he had regular Saturday ski days at Big White. Every summer when he wasn’t golfing, he was taking his family boating. The days of water-skiing and tubing are favourite memories for the whole family and for friends who came to visit.
Rob had a special gift as a carpenter, building cabinets and remodelling every house the family lived in. His latest project was to create a beautiful home for Katie, and what a warm memory that will be for her.
Rob and Richelle loved to travel. Scotland, where he could golf and she could explore, was a favourite destination. There were many trips to Scottsdale with the kids when they were young, and the occasional trips to Hawaii were memorable. Rob also spent 6 months in Australia before he and Richelle met.
This final tribute would not be complete if Rob’s friendships were not mentioned. There are so many friends shocked and saddened by Rob’s passing. The number of people that will miss stopping by for a beer, a golf game, a football game, a visit or just a phone call is enormous.
Rob and Richelle started their married life in Loon Lake SK, then Saskatoon before moving to Kelowna almost 7 years ago. In that time, almost without fail, everyday he would FaceTime his parents. After his moms passing, he continued to talk to his dad every day and made numerous trips each year to see them. He was the epitome of a devoted son. We are sure his mom has greeted him after he picked up Eli at the Rainbow Bridge.
Rob’s fitness will be rewarded and a blessing to many who will receive life-saving organs as per his wishes to be a transplant donor. Four men close to Rob’s age have been given a new life and someone will see again. There is a bit of peace knowing our pain has given them joy.
Let your perpetual light shine Rob, till we are all together again.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Canadian Heart and Stroke
A Celebration of Life will be held on SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024, at 4:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
Another event will take place in Saskatoon, on April 13, 2024 (more details to come).
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024, at 4:00 PM (PDT)
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
Share with Others:
Heart & Stroke Foundation Link: www.heartandstroke.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for REID, Robert Charles is scheduled for SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024, at 4:00 PM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Wishing you all the best during this difficult time. Rob will be forever missed as one of the good ones.
What a gift it was to know Rob. Such a kind heart, wise and compassionate. He was definitely made to be a teacher and to share his joy of life with his students. I will miss his smile and sparkly eyes in the hallway. Always had something positive to say.
Rob we will forever miss you. Your leaving us has left such a huge hole in our hearts. The only comfort in this tragedy is that you and Mom are now together. Love you Bro with all all hearts
Joe and Lyla
Richelle and family, so sorry about Rob’s passing. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Rob, whether on the golf course or at VP meetings with lunch after. He was a special person, admired by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rob was my daughter’s teacher this year and our hearts are broken at his passing. To our daughter Rob was the sun and moon – she adored him. I have a list a mile long of “Mr. Reid Stories” that I have been told since September. Our little girl could never wait to share photos and news with him each day. Even in this unimaginable time of sadness, please know that everyone who knew Rob was luckier for it, His legacy will be the memories he made with so many, and the lives he made better just by being in them.
Rob was a ray of light at our school – never did a day go by that I didn’t see him with a big smile on his face. He was one of the most kind and compassionate people you could know, and it showed every single day. I will always be grateful that I was lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed so immensely, and my heart goes out to all of his family.
Richelle, what can I say, except my thoughts are with you and your family.
I had the opportunity to know Rob only a handful of years during elementary school, but they stand out so vividly. His personality and smile were infectious. It was always fun times, blasting around doing kid stuff with him while on our bikes. We are so very sad for your loss.
To Mr. Reid’s family,
Our eldest son Colten was lucky enough to be in Rob’s class this year, he often call him his mentor more than a teacher. He adored everything about Rob and they often bonded over their love of sports, fitness and healthy food. Colten has shared many stories of Rob all year long and every time he scored a goal in hockey he asked for me to email the videos (if one was captured), or pictures to Rob. He describes their “chicken dances” and how he was already sad to know he would be moving onto Grade 6 and wouldn’t be in Mr. Reid’s class forever. He often asked if he could ask him about moving up in grades with him as I don’t think he wanted to be in a classroom without him. We had just arrived home from Mexico when we heard about Rob’s passing and the first words out of Colten’s mouth was “Mommy, now I can’t give him his gift that I bought him with my own money in Mexico”. He was so sad to not get to tell him about his first vacation, and give him the NY Giants helmet he got for him as a present. He got him a Giants Christmas tree ornament for Christmas so was so happy to be able to add to that collection for Mr. Reid. As a parent, it warms our hearts having had someone like Mr. Reid guide our son this year. He has gained more confidence and self assurance in his personal life, but in sports as well and I know that is due to Mr. Reid’s guidance. Colten was struggling whether to come to the service today but really wanted to meet Richelle, Katie, Ben & Jesse. He had a hockey game that overlapped with the service and this morning he got up and said “ Mr. Reid would want me to play hockey and not be sad today. I’m going to score a goal for him because that always made him happy”. Colten did just that, 1 Goal for Rob and 3Asissts for his kids he said. I am so proud we had the pleasure of knowing Rob and having him in our lives. Our son is a better boy due to all of Rob’s life lessons & educational guidance. I lost my dad 8 years ago, and I know he will be making friends with Rob in no time and welcoming him to where they are now. Sending much love to you 4, and thank you again for the gift of Rob. We are all better people for knowing him.
My son was lucky enough to have Rob as his teacher this year. We’ve been listening to glowing “Mr. Reid” stories since September. JJ was so fond of him. As parents we were so grateful to have Rob’s positive influence on our son. He is and will be deeply missed.
Our family has been so fortunate to have known Rob and we are incredibly saddened he is no longer with us. He was our daughter’s teacher this year, our son’s teacher last year, and even our youngest twins were already hopeful he would teach them in a few years. Our son and daughter regularly shared stories he told them, were excited to tell him about their experiences outside of school because they knew he’d be proud and excited with them, and they were genuinely eager to go to school because he made learning meaningful and engaging. Rob beamed with smiles each day and when waiting outside for the bell to ring before school, he was always checking in with his students, and welcomed each and every one of them as if he was making sure they all knew just how important they were to him. In times of challenge, Rob helped our children feel heard, understood, and supported. Although his passing will be deeply felt by so many, his compassion for others and his connection to family, learning, and general love of life will be carried on in the lives of those who were so fortunate to know him. What an incredible legacy. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.
I was very sad to hear of Rob’s passing. I was blessed to be a CEA in his class last year. Rob was an amazing teacher and person. His excitement for his students learning was obvious! He cared for every one of them. I also had amazing conversations every morning with him and his love for his family was apparent. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you all and send healing vibes. ~Kathryn
To Richelle, Jesse, Katie & Ben,
Our son Colten had the privilege of being in Rob’s class this year and we all have been shook over his loss. He meant the world to our son as a person, an educator and lover of sports. Rob cared so greatly about Colten and his accomplishments in hockey, Colten would always ask me to send Mr. Reid videos of his goals, or pictures when he won a medal or even championship on March 10th. Colten knew how much Mr. Reid loved the Giants and was so elated to find a Giants Christmas Tree ornament to give him before the holidays. He shared so many wonderful stories of Mr. Reid’s childhood, working in the Hardware store, football and of course learning about his kids. Numerous times this school year Colten had touched on being sad to not be able to be in Mr. Reid’s class in grade 6 and was hoping he would move up in grades with him. He couldn’t imagine being at school or learning without his enthusiasm and fun. Recently he told me about their “chicken dances” that they had in the classroom, he had never shared this before Rob passed away, but lit up in describing how he enjoyed that and would miss it. Both his dad and I have seen considerable growth in our son this year not only as a student but a person. He is more confident in himself both inside and outside the classroom and I 100% attribute that to Rob. We were coming back from our trip to Mexico when we found out about Rob and Colten was devastated to not be able to give him the NY Giants gift that he had purchased down there with his own money. He spoke of Rob almost everyday as he couldn’t wait to tell him about his first big fly away vacation as he knew how much Rob loved to travel. My heart is very empathetic to what you are going through as I lost my dad to a heart attack when I was 3 months pregnant with our youngest. Colten really wavered on whether to come to the service or not, but ultimately decided that playing in a hockey game at 3pm, and scoring Mr. Reid a goal would be what he would have wanted. I am happy to say, Colten did score a goal, and got 3 assists to which he said were for Mr. Reid’s kids.
Thank you for the gift of Rob to all of our lives, and thank you for the impact he had on our son and our family. We truly are the lucky ones who have benefitted from him & his wisdom & warmth. My heart is with you all as you adjust to your new normal, it doesn’t get any easier, it just hurts a little bit less over time.
This is a treasured memory for our family. Colten and Rob, twins, March 5th
To the Reid family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to meet Rob at North Glenmore Elementary. His friendly smile and positive attitude made everyone he spoke to feel a little brighter. He was that special teacher, the one who truly made a difference in the lives of his students and the one who will always be remembered. You are in our hearts and thoughts.
Dear Rochelle & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Rob’s passing. I worked with Rob at two schools in Saskatoon. He was an innovative teacher always looking for ways to improve his teaching. He was a humble man with many achievements beloved by both students and colleagues. Rob loved his teaching but put his family first. My condolences for your loss.
Our family was fortunate enough to have Mr. Reid for our sons’ teacher at Brevoort Park School (Saskatoon). As a parent, I admired his strength and kindness and the way he garnered respect from his students seemingly so effortlessly. My father was a much-loved teacher and over the years I’ve been able to see what an effect that can have on children. Mr. Reid was one of those teachers. He inspired so many and as a parent to boys, it was great to have a wonderful male role model at school for them. He left an impression, that’s for sure. Ten years after being in his class, I still remember my son telling me how Mr. Reid said if you drive down 8th Street at just a smidgeon over 50 kmh you’ll miss all the red lights. To this date, I think of Mr. Reid when I drive down 8th Street. Sometimes the little things leave a lasting impression. Our sincere condolences to the entire Reid family.
Teresa, Peter, Tyler, Jeremy Herd
Richelle and family, we are so deeply sad to hear of Rob’s passing. We remember Rob as a kind, warm, generous man who raised a beautiful family. We extend our condolences and wish you all the comfort of knowing you journey forward with a piece of your wonderful father and husband with you always
Sandra & Deke Panko and family
Mr. Reid was one of my teachers in Raymer. He was one of my favorite teachers..I wish him farewell, may he now rest.