Robert (Bob) Steele
Mar. 31, 1931 – Nov. 29, 2023
Robert Alexander (Bob) Steele passed away peacefully at the Canmore Hospital at the age of 92 years. He was born in Calgary to Walter and Margaret Steele (nee McKellar).
Predeceased by Dolores, the mother of his children, daughter Debbie, sister Doreen, and daughter-in-law Denise.
He is survived by his loving wife,
Marleen Ferguson, son Tom (Mary Sheldon), daughter Brenda (Bill Swansborough), Janis (Gary Gallant), stepdaughters Sandy Ferguson (David Bonner), and Lynn Ferguson. Bob was blessed with many
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step grandchildren.
He attended Crescent Heights High School and SAIT in Calgary, graduating in Structural Engineering Technology; Active in hockey and football with fond memories of his time as a Boy Scout (King’s Scout).
Bob the builder, as he was affectionately known, enjoyed a long and successful career in the construction industry in Calgary, Edmonton, Western Canada and the United States and was President of the Calgary Construction Association, President of the Alberta Construction Association and was on the advisory board of SAIT. Upon retirement, he embarked on a new venture, owning and developing the Salmon Arm Golf Course in BC into an 18 hole course. After selling the golf course, Bob moved to Harvie Heights where he and his father had built a cabin in the 1950’s and returned to his construction past in project management, overseeing renovations at the Banff Springs Hotel, Chateau Lake Louise Hotel and the Jasper Park Lodge from 1987 – 1989 and the restoration of the Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton 1989-91. Bob was happiest when planning, renovating or building. His creative and positive attitude kept him busy.
He restored a 1930 Marmon Roosevelt car which now resides in Heritage Park, Calgary Gasoline Alley and enjoyed collecting antique coal oil lamps. He was a kind, outgoing, respected friend and mentor to family and friends. His sense of humour telling stories livened up any occasion. When his family was young, he enjoyed vacations to Disneyland and Mara Lake. After his retirement, he enthusiastically embraced travelling with Marleen to Australia, New Zealand, Asia, many South American countries, Mexico and Europe. Golfing, making new friends in Southern California as snowbirds for 20 years was a plus.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Canmore Hospital for their kind and compassionate care for Bob.
If desired, friends wishing to remember Bob are encouraged to make donations, in his memory, to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation; to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary or to support Heritage Park for Gasoline Alley.
Cremation has taken place. Bob’s wishes were for a private family celebration of his life, which will be held in the Spring 2024.
