Obituary of Robert Byron Wardle

October 9, 1935 - Medicine Hat, Alberta

April 2, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Robert “Bob” Wardle, beloved husband of the late Phyllis Anne Wardle (nee Wright), of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of 88 years.

Bob was born in Medicine Hat, AB, on October 9, 1935. He lived in Rainier, Tilley, New Westminster, and then moved to Brooks, AB, to begin his hospital administration career, where he met his wife, Phyllis.

He served as a hospital administrator in Taber and Wetaskiwin, and then moved to Calgary. Here, he was the executive director of Hospital District 7 and then again with Bethany Care Centres, specializing in designing and operating many of Calgary and area continuing care facilities until he retired. These included Sarcee Care Centre, Fanning Centre, Bethany Village, Bethany Airdrie, and Bethany Cochrane.

He was an active member of the Cochrane community and loved to rebuild bicycles and donate them to the Cochrane Activettes Club so that they could give them to children at Christmas. He was also a member of the Lions Club and other service clubs for many years.

Bob accomplished much throughout his professional life, loved to travel with Mom, and always had 101 projects on the go at home.

He had a love of aviation after he served as a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 1950s, and then earned his Pilot License in 1971 and remained a private pilot until the late 1980s.

He was also awarded the first Lord Mountbatten Medal in 1951 by the Commonwealth Royal Life Saving Society, for saving Frances Burchak.

He always loved when the grandkids and great-grandkids came over for a visit, as he had a special spot in his heart for the “Herd”.

Bob is survived by his sister Jo-Anne Forrest of Boise, his daughter Jerrill of Cochrane, and son Kelly (Kristy) of Calgary; five grandchildren, Matt (Sara), Andy (Alanna), Mackenzie (Liz), Jackson (Emma), and Richelle (Cody); and four great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Adeline, Madelyn, and Logan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bob was predeceased by his wife Phyllis this past January, and his brother Arden.

As per Bob’s wishes, a private celebration of his life will be held.

We would like to thank the compassionate and amazing staff at Bethany Care Centre in Harvest Hills for taking such wonderful care of Dad. You are the best!

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bob’s family here.

In living memory of Robert “Bob” Wardle, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.