METCALF, Robert ‘Bob’

1941 – 2025

Robert “Bob” Metcalf was born on December 12, 1941, to proud parents, Alice and Cliff Metcalf. He joined sister Patricia and was followed by sisters, Phyllis, Joan, Heather, and brother Peter. The Metcalf family lived in Red Deer throughout Bob’s early life. During his youth, Bob developed a love of the outdoors, spending time camping, hunting, and fishing with his dad. His affinity for outdoor adventure took him to the Yukon to work as a young man. Returning to Red Deer, he soon met, fell in love with, and married a young nurse from Ontario, Margaret (Marg). Motivated to keep up with his brilliant bride, Bob attended the University of Calgary to earn a BA and became a teacher. He spent many happy years in the classroom, teaching history and social studies to students at David Thompson School and H.J. Cody School in Sylvan Lake, where he also made lasting friendships with colleagues. Bob did not begin his own life as the most dedicated student, and he encouraged all his students with genuine warmth and care.

Sylvan Lake was where Bob and Marg made their home, together with their three children, Cherie, Ann Marie, and Mark. Bob and Marg embraced the community they found there. They were longstanding members of the Presbyterian Church. They curled competitively (and not so competitively) for years, with Bob as “skip.” Bob continued outdoor pursuits, hunting and fishing with many friends, enjoying trips together and “Hunter Club” gatherings. Bob and Marg shared a love of the beauty of the natural world. Bob designed and built (with friend, Roy Wirtanen) a cabin on an acreage in the Columbia Valley as a family retreat. Countless happy memories of the cabin were a huge part of Bob and Marg’s life together—at first with their own children, later with annual extended family gatherings, and in retirement often on their own. In the valley, they made dear friends and took a memorable trip to Mt. Assiniboine with neighbours and friends, Chuck and Phyllis Christianson. In retirement, Bob took up woodworking, becoming highly accomplished and devoting most of his effort to building special furniture pieces for his children. He also produced beautiful frames for Marg’s paintings, and they worked together showing her work at events in Alberta and BC. Both Bob and Marg loved music. Bob built up a legendary record collection over his life. To celebrate Marg’s 75th birthday, they travelled to New York City to see La Bohème at the Met. Bob treasured Marg and often referred to her as “his angel.” Bob experienced serious health challenges during his life, having twice been treated for a brain tumor and living with impairments from the surgery and treatments for many years. Despite this, he loved life, and the centre of his life was the love he had for his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, extended family, and his many friends. We are so grateful for the life we shared with him and all the love he gave us; “our cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). A Celebration of Robert’s Life will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2026-01-09
• Location : (Red Deer) Locally Family Owned (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com