William Robert (Bob) Einarson
June 5, 2024

William Robert (Bob) Einarson was born to parents Freeman and Marjorie in Markerville, Alta., a small central Alberta town with a large Icelandic population.

Bob and his three sisters worked long hours on the family farm and he made frequent deliveries to the Markerville creamery. (The creamery is now a historical site with the last names of local farmers such as his father painted on milk containers outside of the museum)
While farming kept him away from school often, Bob loved to learn and read. This was a desire he maintained through his life. 

Shortly before the farm was sold in early 1970s, Bob married Norma Cluff and started a family first in Red Deer and then moved to Rocky Mountain House. He had three sons, Kevin, Keith and Richard and this is where he found the job that defined most of his life. 

Bob joined the public works first as a labourer and later promoted to foreman. His lifelong love of learning allowed him to achieve several certifications and qualifications. 

During his time at the public works, Bob helped build Rocky Mountain House into the town it is today. He helped oversee many projects and his steadfast integrity and commitment ensured quality work without waste and cutting corners, an accomplishment he was very proud of. 

Bob carried his farmer “do it yourself” mentality into his home. He rarely hired anyone and preferred to do the work himself and became a jack of all trades. He fixed cars, renovated his family house, shingling the roof to name a few. 

If it needed to be done, he just did it. 

The house had copies of Discovery magazine and Popular Mechanics to keep him knowledgeable about the world and he encouraged his boys to read them as well. 

His reputation as a public works leader resulted in him receiving the prestigious Operator of the Year Award from the Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association in 2001.  

Bob retired from his position with the public works to much fanfare and retired to Hespero with his partner Flo Densmore where he continued his jack of all trades work in the large, heated garage the property boasted. 
He was a fixture of the local community and was always willing to help anyone including strangers with chopping wood, home repairs and even driving them to medical appointments. 

He was well known for his warm, funny and agreeable personality which drew in people everywhere he went. 
Bob loved the outdoors and had two quads that he enjoyed riding on and off his property as well as numerous other activities. 

He maintained his physical fitness late into his life, challenging and beating much younger men in arm wrestling. Bob often remarked how surprised they were when he won. 

Bob passed in the Innisfail Health Care Centre on June 5, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He fought to the end as he had with all challenges in his life and earned the respect and admiration of the health care staff. 

Bob was predeceased by his son Keith and is survived by his partner, Flo, Norma Einarson, his sons, Kevin and Richard, his grandson Sean as well as his sisters, Grace Pixley and Rich, Betty and John Wills and Peggy and Clare Johnson and many nieces and nephews and best friend Cy Niel as well as by Flo’s children, Philip and Kimberly Hendry, son Truman, Glenda and Mark While, Samuel and Jill Hendry and daughters, Catherine and Paige. 

A memorial celebration for Bob Einarson will be held at the Hespero Community Hall on July 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. 
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Hespero Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. 

Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403-227-0006.