Robert Trudeau Obituary

Thank you Sheri for your beautiful and kind words.

Here is a slightly abridged version of what I said at his memorial service Friday 8/23:

Thank you so much Pastor Wentzel for doing this service for my dad and for having us in your church.

Lots of pleasant memories: fishing, birdwatching, hanging out and shooting the bull, reading, making and fixing stuff. When we were kids, he would always kiss us goodnight, and he would still do so even after we became adults. I love that he was uninhibited enough to do that--perhaps that was a strength of his French Canadian heritage. I have fond memories of playing Scrabble with my mom and sister Anne and me. He was so smart. We learned a ton from my dad. I have many vivid childhood memories of him answering our questions around the dinner table by grabbing a paper napkin and pen and sketching out an explanation.

He did not have a college degree, but he was very smart and took great pride in making a contribution to the advance of medicine through his work. And I am proud of him too.

He worked hard. I think he faced the pressures and stresses of a working man as best he could and with a great deal of integrity. He never allowed the stress to spill over into physical violence against his loved ones, like happens so often with other guys. Sometimes the best he could do was just not talk about things that were really difficult. Over the years, he found a way to talk about some of those things, and there was healing, and I am very grateful for that. I'm glad he lived long enough for that to happen. It allowed him to be closer to his children and to get to meet and enjoy his grandchildren.

Gini and my dad loved each other very much. Their marriage was a big important chapter in his life. She very graciously accepted each of us children into their new life together, in spite of some pretty major cultural differences. I very much appreciate her graciousness and patience with us, and I know I'm not the only one of us who does. I think it's also fair to say that there's no way my dad would have lived nearly as long without her heroic efforts. So thank you, Gini, for giving us all those extra years of my dad's life.

He lived to 91. That's a good long life. I already miss him a lot. But I don't think his passing is a tragedy, like the death of a young one. His time had come.
...
One of my favorite pictures of my dad is of him standing on some sort of platform at the bottom of a great wooded valley, with his arms stretched up and and his head tilted back, exulting in nature. That's how I'd like to remember him.

[I can't locate that picture right now so attaching another good one here]

[Eileen's comments for the memorial, which I read for her there, posted here at her request--PT]:

Ada, a bright-eyed little girl, was one of the last children to sit on Dad's big, comfortable lap. Dad connected with her on a deep level. They communicated about important and silly things. They snuggled. They enjoyed one another's company and accepted one another just as they were.

There were other children in dad's life - his grandchildren. Say their names - Natalie, Carl, Emilie, Amanda, Corina, Owen - and watch him light up.Talk about Erin or Shannon or Jim, Emile or Noel, and watch the smile creep over his face.

Dad had a special place in his heart for Emilie. The day she graduated from medical school was, he said, the happiest day of his life. Her visits in the hospital instantaneously made him feel better.

Dad traveled great distances, even as his health was failing, to attend as many graduations as he could. He wanted to be part of these momentous occasions.

There is one more group of children whom Dad passionately adored - his children. We experienced that deep connection as we sat with him during his final days. He looked at us as he looked at sweet Ada - with joy and unconditional love. I will always treasure those moments. I am committed to keeping that love alive and passing it on to generations to come.

I will always remember Uncle Bob for his intelligence and humor. When I was growing up, I remember the Friday evenings in the summer when Aunt Gini and Uncle Bob would come to the Shaklee house. We'd all sit out on the screened-in porch while the adults enjoyed their cocktail hour. Uncle Bob would always bring his own gin and tonic with limes. Even Grandma would be there every week, which I treasured. I enjoyed this family time so much. These were the times I got to know Uncle Bob the most, through his humorous stories. He would always crack us up with his witty comments and insights. Those were such good ole days! Rest in Peace, dear Uncle Bob.

Dear Mom, Our family will miss Grandpa Bob so much for his kindness, his wit and humor, and the stories and knowledge he shared with us. I have such great memories of your trip to France for our wedding. Picnicing together everyday in the small towns we visited, Bob and his funny french accent, appreciation for the great food and the beautiful countryside. I loved giving Bob a hard time for his French pronunciation. We always enjoyed sharing our love of nature, especially birding and later fishing with Bob. I won't ever forget the time when we visited that he drove my boys and I to Kensington Park, in the thick of winter in his red truck and we spied on a herd of deer for a good half hour. Emile and Noel were so thrilled. We also always enjoyed playing pictionary and scrabble with him--he was always the guy who knew every imaginable word! We have many good memories of Bob. You were so good to him, and he was such a good husband to you for so many happy years, and I will always be grateful for that. Our deepest condolences to you, Bob's children and grandchildren, and all those who loved Bob. Sincerely and with all my love, Shari, Jean, Emile, and Noel Laroche