Obituary of Robert Patrick Emes

Robert Patrick Emes

February 6, 1985 – September 6, 2023

Robert, loving father to Noah (Clover) and beloved son of Deborah passed away unexpectedly in Vancouver at the age of 38.  Robert was born in Calgary and moved with his family to Vancouver at the age of five.  He attended Lord Kitchener School, where he made lifelong friends, before beginning high school at Prince of Wales.  The family returned to Calgary when he was 14.  He graduated from Alternative High School in 2003, winning the Governor General’s Academic Medal (Bronze).  During this period, he volunteered at Food Not Bombs and was a frequent attendee at many all-ages music shows, where he also made many enduring friendships.

After graduating from high school, Rob set out for a life of adventure, hitchhiking with friends across the country before returning to Calgary in 2005 to begin working towards becoming a journeyman carpenter.  In 2008, he moved to Saskatoon and completed his apprenticeship in 2012.  He was very proud of having obtained his ticket, using it in a variety of ways including as a volunteer carpenter for Habitat for Humanity (2017).  

After working for a few years, he decided to go to university where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts, Economics, with Great Distinction in 2017.  He also won the University of Saskatchewan President’s Medal that same year.  Rob then enrolled in law school, graduating in 2019, and receiving the Law Society of Saskatchewan Bronze Medal.  During law school he served as a student editor for the Saskatchewan Law Review (2017/18) as well as volunteering at Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City (CLASSIC).  

After graduating from law school, he articled with and later joined McKercher LLP where he began to build a practice in a variety of areas.  Rob frequently said that he had found his calling in the law and his work at McKercher LLP gave him great fulfillment.

Although he loved being a lawyer, his greatest joy came from being a dad.  Whether it was coaching baseball, riding one wheels, working on music, or simply hanging out together, anyone who knew Rob knows how much he enjoyed spending time with his child.  

In addition to Noah and Deborah, Rob is survived by Tori with whom he co-parented Noah, his uncle Allan Emes (Claudia) and their children Peter, David and Jane; his aunt Sherry Emes and her children Aaron and Kerry; his aunt Jessica  Tamblyn (James) and their children Mary-lynn and Charles; his uncle Richard Woodford; his Aunt Angela Reeves(Jon) and their children Matthew, Kate and James;  his Aunt Roxanna Selwood (Andrew) and their children David and Mark, his cousins Daniel Rudolph and Sarah Rudolph, a growing number of second cousins, and many friends, all of whom deeply mourn his passing.  He was predeceased by his father Bryan Emes, his grandparents Arnold and Alberta Emes, his grandparents Vernon and Nancye Woodford, his Aunt Stephanie Brister and his Uncle Barry Emes.  

A service will be held at Saskatoon Funeral Home on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 11:00 am followed by a reception.  All who cared for Rob are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make donations in his memory to Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City (CLASSIC).