1948 – 2017

With heavy hearts we say goodbye to our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Rob Keating. Rob was born in Saskatoon, SK on June 2, 1948. As a young man, Rob began work on the railroads, a career and lifelong passion that shaped his life and took him from Saskatoon to Jasper, AB to Kamloops, BC. While living in Jasper, Rob met the love of his life, his “sweetie” Marilyn. In addition to Marilyn’s daughter Kori, their family grew with the arrival of Terri and the twins, Heather and Aaron. Seeking warmer weather, Rob and Marilyn moved their young family to Kamloops.

Rob’s other passions included golf, hockey and fishing, which he loved dearly. Rob instilled the same passion for hockey and golf in his son Aaron and was a dedicated minor hockey league coach in the early years and golf companion in the later years.

To say Rob loved railroading would be an understatement. Soon after Rob retired from CN at the young age of 48, he realized retirement wasn’t his cup of coffee. With a nudge from Marilyn, he returned to railroading and worked with both the short-line railroad, KPR, and more extensively with CPR, where he continued to work until the ripe age of 67. Sadly, Rob’s vision of his second retirement did not materialize and on September 24, 2015, our lives forever changed when he was diagnosed with ALS. Rob fought this horrific disease with immense courage and strength. Rob passed away with his family by his bedside on August 16, 2017.

Rob will be greatly missed by his wife of 36 years, Marilyn, his children Kori (Mike Howard), Terri (Derek Deneef), Heather (Brad Patenaude), Aaron (Carmen), his granddaughters, “little princesses”, Zoe and Olivia and grandsons, “princes”, Braxton, Dexter and Ben, his brothers Peter (Marilyn), Wayne (Kathy) and Doug (Karen) and his broader family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Gus and Helen.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stefanuik, Dr. Calder, ICU, The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home, as well as the many caregivers for their support during this difficult time. Condolences are welcome on the Drake Cremation & Funeral Services website, http://www.norththompsonfuneral.com/obituaries/. In lieu of flowers, the Keating family requests that you consider donating to the ALS Society of BC or the Kamloops Hospice.

Rob’s celebration of life will be held on September 3, 2017, at 1 pm at the Coast Hotel (1250 Rogers Way, Kamloops, BC).

• Date : 2017-08-16
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.