Obituary of Robert John Lindsay

Robert John (Bob) Lindsay passed away in the arms of his family at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary on April 5, 2005 at the age of 80 years. Bob was born in Thetford Mines, QC in 1924 to Charles (CC) Lindsay and Mary Hearn, just behind his twin brother Crawford. He grew up in Quebec City and Montreal, where he received his Bachelor of Arts from Loyola College in 1944. Bob later received both his Bachelor of Engineering Degree in 1948 and his Masters Degree in 1959 from McGill University. He articled to CC Lindsay QLS in 1948 and practiced for many years as a Land Surveyor, ultimately joining his father to create the firm of CC Lindsay and RJ Lindsay. He worked extensively in the development of the Quebec pipeline system for Montreal Pipeline Co., Gulf Canada, Imperial Oil and many others. In May, 1962 Bob married the love of his life, Noreen Brown of Moncton, NB. Together they built Bob’s dream, carving Innisfree Farm from the bush on the south shore of Lake St. Francis near St. Anicet, QC as a home for their family and an ever-expanding menagerie of Morgan horses, Labrador retrievers and stable cats. While he loved the field work and exploration of surveying, he found his true professional passion in teaching, where he could share his enthusiasm for his craft with his students. He began teaching at Loyola College and McGill University and moved west to Saskatchewan as an Instructor in Moose Jaw’s Saskatchewan Technical Institute in 1979. He enjoyed many years there as a Survey Instructor, Program Head, Chairman of Technologies and ultimately Vice-Principal before he retired in 1989. Bob worked tirelessly for his students, and over his years in Saskatchewan he won the love and respect of his many friends and neighbours. While the prairies became a true home, he never replaced Innisfree, though designs and ideas for the Western version of it graced the backs of countless coffee shop napkins. Throughout his life, Bob was many things to many people; athlete, artist, soldier, horseman, husband, father, mentor, and friend. His smile, sense of humour and gentle guidance will be sorely missed by his loving wife Noreen; his sons, John of Victoria, BC, and Matt (Kathy) of Calgary; his daughters, Kathleen of Calgary and Norah of Ottawa, ON; and his adoring grandchildren, Jamie, Kelly, Ian, and Leah. Bob was predeceased by his brother Crawford in 2004. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Friday, April 8, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. James’ Catholic Church (5504 – 20th Street S.W.) on Saturday, April 9, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 Park Road S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 3Y6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of Robert Lindsay, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.