Memorial Service for Bob Cooper
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Bob Cooper together
Where: Transcona Memorial United Church
Downstairs – Yale Hall
209 Yale Ave W, Winnipeg, MB
When: Saturday June 18, 2022
Doors open at 1:30. Service starts at 2:00
Masks required
If you are unable to attend in person you are welcome to join via Zoom at the following links:
Topic: Bob Cooper Memorial 2:00 pm June 18, 2022
Time: Jun 18, 2022 02:00 PM Winnipeg
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99224769901?pwd=Q2oxYXo1dXFRWEhJTFlHN0JURTdNQT09
Meeting ID: 992 2476 9901
Passcode: Aym8nu
Topic: Bob Cooper Memorial Band Performance – June 18, 2022
Time: Jun 18, 2022 02:30 PM Winnipeg
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94597296782?pwd=WGNaT09RS1dnR3h1K0V6Y2xESEhPUT09
Meeting ID: 945 9729 6782
Passcode: 5j6Jsf
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bob Cooper.
Bob was born in Winnipeg on July 6, 1948 and died in Winnipeg on July 18, 2021.
Left to cherish a lifetime of memories are his wife Lynn and sons Darrell and Blair. He was so proud of his sons. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Madeline (Wallace) and Harold Cooper.
As a boy, Bob had summer vacations in the Kenora area. The family of three, mom, dad and Bob, would hop in the car and head to the woods without a plan, camping wherever a spot struck their fancy.
This lead to his love of being outdoors and throughout his life the camping holidays with family were special times. The Canadian Shield was where he spent many years, notably in the Whiteshell and at Falcon Lake. In retirement he and Lynn had a trailer permanently sited in the Interlake region. Together they enjoyed road trips to Vancouver, holidays in Florida with friends, and of course many trips to Scotland!
Bob was very active in the Winnipeg Scottish pipe band community. He loved to teach drumming music and would help whomever asked for his assistance. When asked to provide a biography for the Lord Selkirk Band’s new parents’ handbook three years ago, these were his words:
“My father was the inspiration for my involvement in pipe bands. From the time he was a boy he played drums in bands in Winnipeg. I was ten years old when he volunteered to teach snare drummers for the Lord Selkirk District Boy Scout Pipe Band. He took me with him and together we enjoyed many years drumming in this and other organizations. Since then I have spent my life playing in pipe bands, most notably The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, The St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg and The Winnipeg Police.
The two most memorable events of my career would be spending the summer of 1970 in Scotland playing in the Edinburgh Tattoo and winning a North American Championship in 2005 with The St. Andrew’s Society Grade 3 Pipe Band.
In addition to playing I have enjoyed many years teaching children to drum. I find that teaching provides a sense of accomplishment and much valuable experience. I was an instructor with the Transcona & District Juvenile Pipe Band for 20 years and it was during that time that my younger son Blair began his obsession with bagpipes that has taken him to two World Championships.
Lifelong friendships have been established and maintained through my pipe band experience, the most notable being my 43 [now 46] year marriage to a young piper in the Heather-Belle Ladies Pipe Band named Lynn. We have two sons, Darrell and Blair.
I have lived my life in and around Winnipeg. I retired after 30 years’ service with the Winnipeg Police and I then spent an additional six years driving school bus for the River East Transcona School Division.”
Bob was a president of the Prairie Pipe Band Association (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) and held the office during its transition to the Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba. In 2018 he was awarded an Honourary Life Membership to the PPBAM, the first drummer to receive this award. He was preparing the Transcona and Lord Selkirk drummers to perform a drum salute for the Winnipeg Scottish Festival and, as it turned out, the salute was for him! He didn’t think he deserved that sort of recognition for just doing what he loved. He was also humbled to receive the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Bob enjoyed writing and arranging music for many individual drummers for their competitions, compiling and writing music books for the Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band. He seemed to be forever tinkering with drum scores.
He also enjoyed working with his hands, with many woodworking projects lovingly completed, including, together with his father, building the first family home in 1976.
Thank you to our wonderful friends both near and far who have expressed such kind thoughts. We would also like to thank the staff at Concordia Hospital who cared for our dear husband and father.
He will be missed.
We would love to have a gathering to remember Bob, when gatherings are permitted.
Condolences may be left on Robert’s memorial page at http://www.interlakecremation.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Interlake Cremation & Memorial Services.
We will miss our time spent together and will remember all the great visits, lunches and trips with a smile. Bob was a true friend to so many, a quiet voice of reason and a pillar in the pipe band community. Our condolences to Lynn, Darrell and Blair ❤️💔
So Sorry for your Loss. There are no words that can truly ease the pain of your loss. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Don and Ineke Cameron
A wonderful and kind person and a wonderful kind family. My sincere condolences to you all. For someone who was so giving and affected so many people it’s hard to imagine them gone. Nothing makes this easier but please know that Bob will never be forgotten. He helped so many by being a friend, welcoming, assisting, reasoning, and caring. Bob genuinely cared about others a lot. Thinking of you all and sending prayers of strength.
So sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. He was probably my best friend growing up on Hindley Ave. in Winnipeg, and we had some great times together. We were also classmates at St George School (I do have a couple of old class photos from Grades 4 & 5 if the family would like copies). I even remember going camping with Bob & his family in the Kenora area. Unfortunately we lost touch after my family moved in the early ’60s. It was great to read about him following in his father’s footsteps in his career, and his passion for drumming and passing on his knowledge to others.
Dear Lynn,
I just heard of your loss. Bob will be missed by many. I will be thinking of you.
David Watson
Dear Lynn and sons, so sorry to hear of your loss of Bob. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. JeanneKullman
Lynn, I am so sorry to learn of Bob’s death. I think of our Lilyfield days and his thoughtful, gentle way. Please know you and your sons are in my thoughts & prayers.
Bob left his mark on so many people. I hope your family can take some comfort knowing that Bob lives on in the memories of everyone who knew him. He was a kind soul, and will be forever missed. My sincere condolences to all.
Bob was a wonderful person. I always looked forward in chatting with him and catching up on my yearly visits to Winnipeg to work with the Selkirk band. I will miss seeing him 😢.
Lynn
We are so deeply saddened to hear of Bobs passing! Know that we are thinking of you during these difficult times! He was a great man and friend and will be forever missed by many
Rodger and Nadine
So sorry to hear that Bob left and has gone to heaven. I remember meeting him and finding him very pleasant and kind. I will not forget that. Lynn I hope to see you very soon. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Jim and I are so very sorry to hear about Bob! He was a fine man so many people looke up to him!His kindness will forever stay with us all! Love and take care Lynn and boys!🐘🐕🌈❤️😞
My deepest sympathies to Bob’s family. Bob and knew each other as members of the originating LSDBSPB, the the Cameron Cadet and Militia Bands. We worked summers together during our teenage years for Greater Winnipeg Cable Vision installing underground. Bob was always a kind and gentle soul just like his Dad. Last spoke with Bob at Jim Bracken’s memorial in June 2019 – we reminisced. Very sad that he has left us and I will always remember him with a smile.
Dear Lynn. So sorry for your loss.
Lynn, Blair and Darrell:
We were heartbroken to learn of Bob’s passing. Lynn, we were so glad both you and Bob were in our lives. Many thanks to the camper! Bob was a kind and gentle man who made a huge difference to so many people. That is a rare and special, and so was Bob. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Much love, Frances and Archie
My sincere condolences to the Cooper family. Bob was a fine man, a real gentleman as I remember. We met many years ago in the Cameron Cadets and I have many fond memories of our time together with the cadets and especially our many gatherings at the Junior Ranks Mess at Minto Armouries. He will certainly be missed.
Blair and family,
I am so sorry for your loss but having read the tributes to your father it is obvious his contributions to the drumming and piping community will not soon be forgotten.
Blair, given your following in his footsteps and the success you achieved, he must have been so proud of you. I know this is a difficult time. Hang in there, buddy.
Matt
Dear Lynn, Darrell and Blair,
Our deepest condolences on hearing of Bob’ passing. We will always remember Bob as a very kind, friendly , loving husband and devoted father to Blair and Darrell. We remember with much fondness the times spent watching Blair and our son play hockey , joining with Lynn and Bob in the stands with the other Oakbank hockey parents. We remember having Breakfast with Bob and Lynn at the Nest during one of their many camping trips! Bob always had a joke to tell, always with a smile! May remembering him give you strength during this very sad time!
With deepest sympathy, Leon, Wilma and Ryan
Dear Lynn, Darrell and Blair,
Our deepest condolences on hearing of Bob’ passing. We will always remember Bob as a very kind, friendly , loving husband and devoted father to Blair and Darrell. We remember with much fondness the times spent watching Blair and our son play hockey , joining with Lynn and Bob in the stands with the other Oakbank hockey parents. We remember having Breakfast with Bob and Lynn at the Nest during one of their many camping trips! Bob always had a joke to tell, always with a smile! May remembering him give you strength during this very sad time!
With deepest sympathy, Leon, Wilma and Ryan
Dear Lynn, Blair and Darrell,
Our deepest sympathy on Bob’s passing. May his memory give you comfort during this very sad time.
Leon, Wilma, Ryan
My thoughts are with you cousin. When I think of Bob I see a smiling face. A Great man. With warmth my condolences to you and the boys
Our deepest sympathy , our thoughts and prayers are with you .
Leon , Wilma and Ryan
To the family of Bob Cooper,
The photo of Bob reminded me of his thoughtfulness. I first met Sgt Cooper when I was a ride a long preparing to make the commitment to join the Winnipeg Police Service. He was tasked with both opening my eyes to the reality I would face and keep me safe at the request of his supervisor (my dad). A tough request which he handled beautifully! His calm demeanour, wit and insight helped me at the very beginning of my career and I hope that I was able to pay it forward.
My condolences on your loss.
Lynn, we are so saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, Darrell, & Blair, and all of Bob’s family & friends at this sad time. We’ll treasure the memories we have of Bob throughout our many occasions of being together with him & Lynn at drumming events, meeting at KPMall, for coffee, and our WTC Christmas parties. We’ll remember his great sense of humour, his passion for drumming, his thoughtfulness, and his genuine care and concern for others. He was a terrific husband, a great father, and a great friend. Bob was just a great “all around” nice guy who truly blessed our lives with his. Our deepest sympathies. Sending hugs 🤗 Linda Skiba and Barry Riench
( friends & co-worker)
Lynn, Darrell and Blair
So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob and I went through school together. At Scout camp one year I found out about his involvement with the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band. After that we did a lot together until I left Winnipeg with the Armed Forces.
He was a calm and even tempered person – just right for a career in policing. Like his father his passion for drumming and his dedication to helping young persons learn and master the rudiments speaks for itself.
He was a good soul and he will be missed by many. Sincere condolences to Lynn and the boys.