
Obituary of Bob Shopland
Robert Shopland passed away peacefully on January 20th, 2025 at the age of 104 years.
Robert was a man of deep integrity and he was still a dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, WWII veteran and a strong man of faith in God.
He was the eldest son, and second child of ten, born to Robert & Agnes (nee Scot), in Willen, Manitoba. He grew up on farms in Manitoba & Saskatchewan, where he attended school, and then later completed his mechanic’s apprenticeship in Rocanville, SK.
At age 21, Bob enlisted in the 8th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment, 2nd Division, and completed his Tour of Duty until the end of WWII. Upon discharge from the army, Bob moved to Chauvin, AB, where he owned & operated Chauvin Transport. Here he met the love of his life, Louise Erickson and they had 3 children, Rodney, Timothy & Miriam who all grew up in Chauvin.
In his spare time, Bob served in many positions with his church, he served as Deputy Fire Chief in Chauvin for several years, and he helped out anyone who was in need.
In 1979, Bob & Louise moved to Wainwright, AB, where he continued in the trucking business until he retired completely. Bob could not stop driving, nor being helpful to everyone who called on him, so he started driving seniors from Wainwright to Edmonton for their doctors’ appointments. He completed a layman’s course and served as a lay minister at the hospital for several years.
In 2005, Bob & Louise moved to Camrose, AB to be closer to family and then moved to West Kelowna in 2014 to live with their daughter & son-in-law.
The highlights of Bob’s life are his wife and his family. He cherished his wife dearly for 72 years, and his love for his children & grandchildren was evident at every visit or phone call, and his face would light up whenever their names were mentioned. Most importantly, Bob was a prayer warrior who lived out his faith in God every day of his life. When asked what he was doing in the last year of his life, Bob would answer that he was praying for people.
Robert Shopland was predeceased by his parents, Robert & Agnes; parents-in-law, Ernest & Johanna Erickson; his sisters Margaret Andre, Ina Hayden, Bette Williamson & Queenie Mae Hodder; his brothers Jim, Joe, Phillip & Jack. Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Louise and their children, Rod (Lois), Tim (Marlene) & Miriam (Brent Keith) and their families; sister Helen Thompson and sisters-in-law Janet Mills and Margaret Shopland; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nephews & nieces. He loved you all.
Thank you to the kind staff at Village at Smith Creek & Brookhaven who thoughtfully cared for Robert during this past year. Thank you to Lindsey & Rob at New Leaf Physiotherapy for your kindness and thoughtful physio with a very determined elderly gentleman. Thank you also to Pastor David Wunderlich & Pastor Emeritus Ed Skutshek for their friendship care and many welcome visits over the years.
A Celebration of Life for Robert Shopland will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1162 Hudson Road, West Kelowna on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Pastor David Wunderlich officiating.
The Graveside Service for Bob will take place at Battle River Cemetery, north of Chauvin, AB.
A donation in Robert Shopland’s memory may be made to his church, Grace Lutheran Church, 1162 Hudson Road, West Kelowna, BC V1Z 1J3 or to Battle River Historical Society, P.O. Box 2994, Wainwright, AB T9W 1S9.
Graveside Service
5101 - 50 Street
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0M2
