Obituary of Robert Wagner

WAGNER, Robert N. "Bob" 1930-2013 Bob passed away peacefully and comfortably at Lisaard House, Cambridge on December 18, 2013 at the age of 83. Beloved husband of Georgina (nee Ramage). He will be lovingly remembered by his children Mary Lou and her husband Jeffrey Thompson and Nancy and her husband David Tikkanen; Georgina's children, Martin Howden and his partner Fiona Borbely and Alison and her husband Brad Zoran. Cherished grandfather of Claire and Trevor Thompson, Michael Tikkanen, Rosslyn and her husband Dan Bowker, Julie Howden, Bronwyn and Colin Zorian. Bob is also survived by his brother Paul Wagner and his former wife Doris and her husband Bruce Greenhead. Predeceased by his parents Nina and Harold Wagner. Bob graduated from Waterloo College, now Wilfrid Laurier University, in 1951 and shortly thereafter joined the Mutual Life as a sales representative and continued a rewarding career with the successor company Sun Life until his retirement in 2002. He was a member in the 1950's of the young men's Delta Phalanx fraternity of the local K-W YMCA. As a club project when the new Memorial Auditorium was built in Kitchener in 1951, a "Cavalcade of Music" Symphony Concert with the Toronto Symphony, was created by the Club and 6,000 citizens enjoyed the musical baptism of the Auditorium on September 27, 1952. At this time, Bob and Doris lived in the Stanley Park area and were actively involved in creating new members for a new United Church in the neighbourhood which subsequently became the thriving St. James Rosemount United Church. A few years later, in the mid-60's, they lived in Forest Hill and embarked on the same initiative to found Forest Hill United. With his marriage in 1996 to Georgina and living in Waterloo, they are now members of First United Church in Waterloo. In 1966, Bob was elected to Kitchener Council and served from 1967-1980. Highlights of his service included being appointed, in 1970, as Council representative on the Board of the newly organized K-W Oktoberfest Inc. As Chair of the Archives Committee, he helped write "The first 40 years of K-W Oktoberfest", a historical document viewing the Festival from the "inside". In 1975, Bob took over the chairmanship of the Council Committee from the late Councilor Harold Chapmen developing the Centre in the Square project, and after three years of further Council and public discussion, Council approved the project in September, 1978 and the Centre opened in September, 1980 as a World Class entertainment facility at which time Bob retired from Council. In 1989, he was awarded the K-W JayCee Citizen of the Year Award for Service to the Community. Bob lived a rewarding life in his Community with his family, friends, and his career. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Bob will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at 3:00p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. William Steadman officiating. Immediately following the service, friends and relatives are invited to the Fireside Reception Room of the funeral home for refreshments and a time to visit. A private family committal service will be held at Parkview Cemetery in Waterloo at a later date. Condolences for the family and donations, in lieu of flowers, to the Bob and Georgina Fund at the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation or a charity of choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and can be arranged through the funeral home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.