Obituary of Walter Alfred Botting

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of a great man and incredible Father, Walter Botting, on March 2, 2020 at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon. Walter was born on November 25, 1931 in a small farmhouse near Henribourg, Saskatchewan. His parents were Alf and Emmaline Botting (Desrosiers), and Walter was the oldest of four children. He is survived by his sisters Helen Wilson and Hazel Brown, and his brother Neil. Walter married Mary (Gere) in 1951 and together they lovingly raised two boys. After separating from Mary in 1976, Walter reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Frances Opsahl, and they have been soulmates ever since. Walter was predeceased by his parents, his son Greg, his stepson Rick and his son-in-law Ken. Left to mourn Walter are his wife Fran, his son Dale (Rose), his stepdaughters Noreen and Mary, and grandchildren Quinn (Laurie), Kelsey, Dylan (Melissa), Tyler (Jackie), Matthew, Jody, Chase (Leea), Michael, Heather (Matt), Holly (Robbin), and eight great-grandchildren. From humble beginnings, Walter apprenticed as a plumber and loved being a tradesman. Together with his business partner, Wendell, they formed Botting and Dent Plumbing and Heating Ltd. out of Prince Albert in 1952, and then relocated to Saskatoon in the early sixties. After an amicable split from this business partnership, Walter grew the Botting Group of Companies into larger commercial, institutional and industrial contracting and he expanded operations from Manitoba to BC. In the 1970s and early '80s he became a senior partner in Plainsmen Developments, with added residential and commercial land development in Saskatoon. In 1996, Walter relocated the business to Calgary, where it consolidated and became one of the leading mechanical contracting firms in Alberta. In 2011 Walter executed his succession plan, and he sold his shares to a loyal management team that had been groomed for many years. Walter was one of the titans of the construction industry for five decades, and he has been honoured by the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Canadian Construction Association, and the Merit Contractors Association (as one of its founding members). Over the years, he generated wealth and security for hundreds of employees and their families. Most of all, Walter Botting was a great mentor, a gregarious and charming friend, a proud father, and the loving head of our family. His big smile and distinctive laugh filled every room. He lived everyday with gratitude and zest. Walter loved fishing, golfing, travel, arguing politics, and "kibitzing" with his family and many friends. His sons were "his pride and joy", and he relished in following all their accomplishments. He was also a generous benefactor to so many people and charitable organizations. In lieu of flowers, Walter's family requests that donations be made on his behalf to any charity that preserves nature, or that provides direct benefits and a "hand up" to those less fortunate in your local community. A Celebration of Walter's life will take place at 2:00 p.m, Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Saskatoon Funeral Home (4th Ave & 25th St.).