Obituary of Bob Rakai

May 2, 1950 - Gimli, Manitoba

October 3, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Born in Gimli, MB, and raised primarily in the Icelandic community of Arborg, MB, Bob Rakai passed away in Calgary on Thursday, October 3, 2024, after many years of a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 74 years.

He was predeceased by his father Joseph M. Rakai and his mother Meta Rakai (nee Licht/Light). Bob is survived by his wife Janice Wilkinson, brothers, Jim of Vulcan, John (Penny) of Coaldale, and Ken (Cindy) of Cochrane; and sister Kathy of Lethbridge, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Bob and Janice were avid ocean cruise enthusiasts. Long cruises in the Mediterranean Sea were Bob’s favourite. Relaxing train vacations through Italy, France, and Germany were also highlights.

Bob particularly enjoyed fishing in the Icelandic River and Lake Winnipeg in his youth. He lived in residence at and graduated from Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, where in addition to developing self-reliance, mental toughness, and ambition, he contributed to elite hockey and football teams, building upon the reputation and mystique of the Notre Dame Hounds in sport across the prairies. Bob never forgot the school motto, “Lector et Emergo.”

Bob graduated from the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg), BSc, Honours, then went on to obtain his MSc from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver). He entered the oil and gas industry in Calgary. His career spanned several decades with Amoco Canada (Calgary), Amoco Eurasia (Houston), Amoco Production Research (Tulsa), and Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He particularly enjoyed petrophysical, reservoir characterization, and integrated reservoir assignments spanning mainly North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and support staff for their compassion and considerate care along Bob’s cancer journey.

At Bob’s request, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will not be held.   

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Cochrane Humane Society, 62 Griffin Industrial Pointe, Cochrane, AB, T4C 0A3, Telephone: (403) 932-2072, www.cochranehumane.ca. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bob’s family here.

In living memory of Bob Rakai, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.