ROBERT HOWDEN

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Campbell Howden, 66, announces his passing on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at his residence in Fort Frances, Ont.
Robert was born in Winnipeg, Man. on July 29, 1942 to the late Marj and Lorrie Howden.
Upon completion of high school and spending summers guiding, Rob completed flight school. After graduating with his commercial licence, he began his flying career at Campbell’s Cabins on Lac La Croix.
It was at Lac La Croix that Robert met the love of his life, Nancy Cross, and later married her on Nov. 1, 1969.
While always maintaining a residence in Fort Frances, they lived at Lac La Croix for numerous years before moving to Sandpoint Lake.
Rob and Nancy operated the Rijinol jewellery store in Fort Frances, and most recently the Canadian Trading Post on Sandpoint Lake. Continuing to fly, he managed Quetico Air Service as chief pilot for as long as we can remember.
Robert touched so many people throughout his life both young and old. He was a great brother, husband, father, and grandfather, as well a great friend to so many people.
His passion for flying, as well as his love for snowmobiling, was unprecedented. He could be seen and heard pounding the headwinds in the “Otter” around Quetico in the summer and carving the back bays of the Borderland on his snowmobile in the winter.
Robert and Nancy spent a lot of their winters travelling and exploring the back roads across the country at their leisure, and could suggest alternate routes to almost any place. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family, especially his grandson, Jacob.
Robert, our hero, will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his daughter, Kristi and husband, Jay Albright; and grandson, Jacob.
He also will be sadly missed by his brother, Richard (Paulette) and children, Laurie (Alana), Michael (Joy), and Renee (Rob Hagborg); stepsister, Diane Muloin and children, Craig and Kristen (Mark Allard); Uncle Harold (Kate) Howden and children, Beth, Kathy, and son, John; and cousins, John (Donna) and Jay (Cheryl) Handberg.
He also will be missed by his brothers-in-law, Brad (Pam) Cross, Tom (Sandy) Cross, Mike (Kayleen) Cross, and Pat (Dana) Cross; sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Jay) Handberg, Lynne Wiebe (Paul Brown), Wendy (Don) Potter, and Karen (Mark) Hagen; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Howden; parents, Lorrie and Marj Howden; and stepmother, Irene Howden.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 1, 2009 at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers were Richard Howden, Harold Howden, Campbell Handberg, Curtis Handberg, Jay Handberg, John Handberg, and Jay Albright.
The honourary pallbearers were Gary Engel, Bill McCallum, John Myers, Bill Hatfield, Murray Beninger, David Dill, Dan Mihichuk, and Ken White.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade in silence,
You fought so hard to stay.
You faced your task with courage,
Your spirit did not bend,
But still you kept on fighting
Until the very end.
God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around you
And whispered “come with me.”
So when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful, free from pain,
We could not wish you back
To suffer that again.
We love you always,
Until we meet again.