Bob gave me my first job in aviation and I grew to love all aspects of that industry. I will always be grateful to him for that. It is heart-wrenching that you have lost both Mom and Dad in such a short period of time. I know you will remember both of them by sharing the happy memories, the laughter and the love that lives on in your hearts. Our family sends love to the entire Wardle clan during this most difficult time.

On behalf of the Bates family, our deepest sympathies go out to the Wardle family. My mother, Frances Burchak, would have drowned at about 20 months old if not for the remarkable bravery of then 15 year old Bob Wardle. "Frankie" went on to live a full life, though she was taken too soon by cancer at 67. But this allowed Bob to once again be there for Frankie, her husband Gavin Bates, their boys Stephen, Michael and Mark, and their grandchildren Dustin, Kaylyn, Riley and Ellie, Turner, Tessa and Amelia, by giving a very heartfelt speech at her funeral.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/lifeguarding-bursary-frankie-bates-bob-wardle-southern-alberta-rescue-1.4707300

Bob was and will remain collectively a Burchak and Bates family hero - our entire section of the Bates family tree made possible because he had lifeguard and CPR training, happened to be in Tilley, AB, that fateful day, and acted with remarkable poise and courage in the face of chaos and pending tragedy.

We will miss Bob's seemingly endless smile and positive attitude, visits with him and Phyllis just to chat about anything, and his enthusiastic help reviewing applications for the annual Bates Wardle Award - established to keep the memories of Frankie and Bob alive by financially assisting two teens each year with the costs of lifeguard training.

https://calgaryfoundation.org/donor-stories/frankie-bates-memorial-fund/

Bob was genuinely a wonderful person and we are truly blessed for having been able to know him.

I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad, Kelly. I didn’t know him well but I know he and your Mom were a very big part of your life. Losing them so close together is hard for those who are left but perhaps you can take comfort in the idea that they are together again.