December 21, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dad Robert (Bob) John Ryde of Kamloops, BC. on December 21 2021.  He leaves behind his daughters Kim(Jack), Lee(Jerry) and Wendy(Jeff), 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and younger sister Elisabeth.  He is predeceased by his wife Helen(2018) and daughter Susan(Vince)(2016).

Bob was the 5th of 7 children born to Margaret and Clarence Ryde on August 23, 1937 in Cranbrook, BC.  As a young boy, Bob enjoyed riding horses and playing cowboys with his friends.

Bob married Helen in 1957 and over the next few years had 4 daughters.  He worked road construction for a few years and in the middle 1960’s started B&B Tire with a partner also named Bob.  In the early 1970’s, his partner bought him out and the family moved to Alberta, where Bob was able to fulfill his childhood dream of being a cowboy.  Living on an 83,000 acre ranch, Bob saddled a horse rather than start a vehicle to go to work.  Riding horses everyday, herding cattle, branding calves, Bob was living his dream and doing a job he loved.

In the mid 1970’s the family relocated back to BC, and Bob went back to road construction, operating the grader and roller until he retired.

Moving to Deka Lake to fulfill their retirement dream; Bob and Helen enjoyed fishing with their dog Sonny.  Bob enjoyed woodworking and made toys for the grandkids and great-grandkids, as well as functioning kitchen tools, kitchen tool caddies and toy boxes.  While having only a limited formal education, Bob had a knack for hands on learning.  Remodelling kitchens for Helen, building a workshop/garage for himself and even tackling car repairs for family members, Bob could usually fix, repair or build it.

In 2018, Bob relocated to Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre where he lived until his passing.  We will miss him greatly and would like to thank the Gemstone staff for all the care that they provided. A very heart felt thank you and appreciation to Greg and his dogs for the hours of companionship and outings. Thank you to the emergency staff at Royal Inland Hospital for his care in his last hours.

A Cowboy’s Prayer…..

Oh Lord, I’ve never lived where churches grow.

I love creation better as it stood

That day You finished it so long ago

And looked upon Your work and called it good.

I know that others find You in the light

That’s sifted down through tinted window panes,

And yet I seem to feel You near tonight

In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains.

 

I thank You, Lord, that I am placed so well,

That You have made my freedom so complete;

That I’m no slave of whistle, clock or bell,

Nor weak-eyed prisoner of wall and street.

Just let me live my life as I’ve begun

And give me work that’s open to the sky;

Make me a pardner of the wind and sun,

And I won’t ask a life that’s soft or high.

 

Let me be easy on the man that’s down;

Let me be square and generous with all.

I’m careless sometimes, Lord, when I’m in town,

But never let ’em say I’m mean or small!

Make me as big and open as the plains,

As honest as the hawse between my knees,

Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains,

Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze!

 

Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget.

You know about the reasons that are hid.

You understand the things that gall and fret;

You know me better than my mother did.

Just keep an eye on all that’s done and said

And right me, sometimes, when I turn aside,

And guide me on the long, dim, trail ahead

That stretches upward toward the Great Divide.

You may express a message of condolence at Alternatives Funeral & Cremation.

• Date : 2021-12-21
• Location : Kamloops