Sometimes the greatness of a human being is recognized in the humility of the man. Bob Lidkea practised humility all his life. He became the oldest practicing Optometrist in Canada in his 90th year and was proud of his achievement of treating so many district patients. For almost 60 years he practiced his craft in Fort Frances, often treating four generations of family members.
He loved Rainy Lake and could tell countless stories of travelling to his cabin. One of the memorable ones was crossing Goose Neck Portage with his car in mid winter to drive to the east end of Swell Bay where his cabin was located. And the car in every circumstance was always a Chrysler product. That love affair with Chrysler products came shortly after his arrival in Fort Frances when the late Allan Avis sold him his first car. Over the years Bob became the biggest booster of West End Motors and often purchased the first new model that arrived on the lot. In most cases, Bob knew more about the vehicle than the salesman because his passion had him reading car magazines every month. He could challenge you on the make and the engine of almost any vehicle made.
Bob had many passions. His family always came first, and he was extremely proud when Bruce followed in his footsteps. He supported his son Alan in his trades and could never say enough about his two grandchildren, Cameron and Piper. Their achievements in high school, festivals and on into university were frequently shared with his coffee partners.
Bob was a historian. One of his worries when notified of his sickness was who was going to continue writing the history of the Kiwanis Club in Fort Frances, the district and western Canada. Bob in his own quiet way had assembled hundreds of Kiwanis documents, minutes, and membership lists of Kiwanians. Kiwanis was a passion for Bob and even a short four weeks ago he was delivering the Kiwanis Barbecue to the Teddy Bear picnic. Almost monthly he hooked up the trailer to his Pacifica and delivered it to a volunteer group for an activity. He worried about the future of Sunny Cove Camp and wrestled with the thought of keeping the facility alive for future generations.
And then there is Bob the minister at St. John’s Anglican Church. He was a lay minister who often filled in when a minister was not available. He would run the theme of his sermon by the coffee group on a Thursday hoping one of us might come hear him. And when the church held one of the suppers, Bob volunteered to peel potatoes and carrots the day prior and on the evening of the supper, Bob was at the door welcoming all guests and collecting the fees for the supper. That was what Bob may have enjoyed the most, renewing friendships and welcoming people to his church.
I first got to know Bob when the two of us served on Council between 1980 and 1985 and then as we had coffee as part of the ten o-clock coffee group that met first at the Rainy Lake Hotel, then the Voyageur Inn, the Grind Up, Mr. Submarine, The Harbourage and now the Fort Frances Senior Centre. We all shared a camaraderie and enjoyed each other’s stories. Bob was the oldest member, having begun having coffee at the Rainy Lake in 1956, and always welcomed newcomers to the table.
It was who he was. Bob the quiet volunteer, storyteller, father, optometrist, minister and friend.
