ROBERT ROY (BOB) TINKESS

On April 7, 2015 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Man., with his wife at his side, Bob Tinkess passed away at the age of 70.
Bob’s best childhood memories were of living with his grandparents, Norrie and Mabel Godin, in their cabin at Rainy Lake. They taught him to hunt, fish, and live close to nature.
This is where he developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors.
As an adult, Bob had several careers. He was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse and a police officer in Fort Frances, and he managed several fishing lodges in Northwestern Ontario.
He owned and operated Crow Lake Lodge and later managed Shady Roost Lodge, both in Nestor Falls, Ont., for many years.
He lived his life close to the lake, doing what he loved–fishing, hunting, and giving his guests memorable lake experiences.
Bob also was a prospector, which led to a lifelong interest in trading mining stocks.
Bob was an accomplished writer, and enjoyed writing short stories and novels. He also excelled as a wildlife painter—painting pelicans, loons, and lake scenes inspired by his surroundings on Lake of the Woods.
He also painted polar bear and caribou inspired by an Arctic fishing trip, as well as scenes from his travels to Mexico and Guatemala, portraits, and abstracts.
Bob was a world traveller. He embarked on an around-the-world trip, visiting many places including Hawaii, Fiji, Hong Kong, Thailand, Turkey, Germany, and England.
It was at the beginning of this trip that he met his wife and soulmate, Jan Laidlaw, on the airplane to Vancouver. Jan and Bob were very happily married for 24 years, living on Barnston Island in B.C., Winnipeg, Man., and at their cabin on Lake of the Woods.
They participated in writing and painting groups together, exhibited their work in several galleries, and travelled frequently to places such as Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida.
Bob and Jan spent many wonderful summers on Lake of the Woods. They enjoyed fishing, shore lunches, and walks in the woods. Bob loved to be outside, building a studio, repairing motors, and doing all the things that cabin life entails.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jan Laidlaw; daughter, Patti Scott and grandchildren, Zhara, Storm, Shyan, and Indygo; daughter, Terri Sweeney and grandchildren, Shayla and Keenan; sisters, Nancy Bone and Gail Tonkin; and brother, Stanley Tinkess.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal services will be held.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bardal.ca