Obituary of Bob Taylor

TAYLOR, Robert Edward

Robert “Bob” Edward Taylor, of Saskatoon, SK., died peacefully with his family by his side on 6 Sep 2021, at 69 years of age. He was an adventurer, a gentleman and entrepreneur who loved his family deeply and earned the admiration of those who met him.

Born (15 Jan 1952) in Kitchener, Ontario, Bob grew up in Edmonton, AB with his four siblings. He was a proud U of A grad (BSc ‘75). He joined the Canadian Armed Forces reserves while still in high school and built a career in the military, eventually serving as the commanding officer of 745 Communications Squadron in Calgary, AB. He was presented with his Canadian Decoration (CD) in 1983.

In 1976, he married the love of his life, Nancy-Jean Monseler, and the two eventually moved to Calgary where Bob entered the gas marketing game, eventually leading Canadian operations for an American firm and his own consulting business. Soon thereafter, the couple started a sheep ranch – one of Bob’s many business ventures. In the early 2000s, they sold that ranch and moved to Consul, SK, where they began a cattle ranch, Antelope Springs. He was a role model for his children, who were integrated into his work life from office days in downtown Calgary to shepherding sheep to rounding up cattle on the range, and who continue to be inspired by his entrepreneurial and risk-taking spirit.

Bob loved a good adventure, whether it was bathing in freezing lakes, hunting with his retrievers, backpacking or having a simple hotdog roast with his family. Though he dealt with illness later in his life, he continued having adventures with his wife in Canada, the USA and beyond.

He treasured his friends and found ways to spend time with them hosting small and large dinner get-togethers. He made a mean beef stew, and dessert was never optional. His dinner parties were renowned for their multi-course meals, topped off with port and cheese, and good conversation late into the night with a glass or two of good scotch and maybe a cigar.

He was a passionate environmentalist who practised holistic grazing. One of his proudest achievements was preserving 14 quarters of native and reseeded pasture through conservation easements, and in 2007 he and Nancy-Jean were given the Stewardship Excellence Award by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Bob might have kidded around saying he tight with his money, but he donated to many worthy causes. He spearheaded an annual church fundraiser for AIDS education in Lomé, Africa. He supported the arts from Wallace Stegner House to the Remai Modern. He particularly supported youth groups like 4H and hockey. Whenever possible he’d show up at fundraisers in his tux or his kilt.

Bob was devoted to his wife and adored his three children and their spouses: Katharine (Chris Young), Jake (April Hudson) and Emmelia (Jeff Robertson). He was especially thrilled with his grandson James Young. He loved his brothers’ and sister’s children almost as much as his own.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

With three bagpipers playing, Bob’s funeral was held 11 Sep 2021 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Saskatoon. https://jonlao.xyz/bob-taylor to watch. His ashes will be laid to rest near the ranch he loved so much with his border collie Cap. Donations in Bob’s memory to https://blackstrapyouthcamp.org/donations/