Robert William "Bob" Eisner

Robert “Bob” William Eisner of Swan River, passed away at the Swan Valley Hospital on October 18, 2021, at the age of 76.

Bob was born in Swan River on March 24, 1945, to Robert and Helene Eisner. He received his education at the Swan-Ford School District, plus one-year high school in Bowsman.

On March 6, 1965, Bob married Mary Florence Semchyshyn of Minitonas, in Thompson, Manitoba.

When Bob was 16, he headed west to work on the oil rigs, and returned to Manitoba in 1964 to work at INCO in Thompson for three years. Following that he moved to Minitonas to take a job at a sawmill, in the bush as well as helping neighboring farmers before returning again to Thompson as a drywaller. He left Thompson in 1970 to buy his farm in the RM of Minitonas, which he nicknamed “Poverty Flats”.

Bob farmed there while working for Midwest Drilling for thirteen winters. He was very proud to be involved in the Hemlo Gold Mine, receiving an award for exceptional drilling performance, a ring, and many other awards.

After that he worked for the RM of Minitonas running the grader and snowplow until his retirement in 2012. Eventually he sold the farmland and lastly sold the new home and acreage. They then moved to Swan River in 2014, where Bob resided until his passing.

Bob’s interests included socializing and playing cards. He loved farming and spending time in the bush cutting firewood.

Bob was a pretty happy and sociable fellow. If anyone deemed him grouchy it would have been because he had a particular way of wanting things and he did things his way. He was smart and innovative. He could build and weld things to make life’s tasks easier. He loved a good visit with a beer, games of cards and good conversation. His love of farming or cutting wood in the bush were shows of the work ethic he had - something we notice isn’t a quality that everyone possesses in our current day in age. But he was able to model his ethic so gracefully that it has become a part of the essence of his children and grandchildren today. His love of animals…all animals - including his own like his pups Zeke and Snoopy was one of his best qualities. He loved to love the pets of his family - often having treats for them in his pocket and you knew that family pups loved when he came around because their excitement showed.

Left to mourn Bob’s passing are: his wife, Mary; daughters Cindy (Doug) Coulthart and Lori (Garry) Borley; son Colin (Michelle) Eisner; sister Evy (Butch) McDuff; brother Ed Eisner; six grandchildren Linsey, Christie, Ryan and Carisa & Carley and Trent, plus two grandchildren of a blended family; and nine great-grandchildren and five from a blended family.

Bob was predeceased by his parents and brothers Helmut, Art, and Jack.

In keeping with Bob’s wishes cremation has taken place. Bob was laid to rest in the Minitonas Cemetery at a private family service. Celebrant Darlyn Hunt officiated.

Should relatives and friends so desire, memorial donations in Bob’s honour may be made to the Swan Valley Health Centre – specifically to the CancerCare and Palliative Units.

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