Obituary of Robert Erwin Armstrong

It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert Erwin Armstrong announces his swift and peaceful passing on January 29, 2021. Bob was a resident at Parkwood Hospital in Veterans Care in London Ontario since February 2018. 

He was in his 95th year and was predeceased by his wife, Betty Jane. They had enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage when she passed in 2017. Cremation has taken place at Woodland Cemetery, and a close family celebration of his life will follow this Spring.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Chris Thomson, Connie and Scott Wilkinson, and Janet and Murray Klassen. “Papa” loved his grandkids, Sam, Joe (Kayla), and Emily greatly and we all will miss him every day.

Dad’s passion was painting the world as he saw it, “through his eyes”. This continued until his last days at Parkwood. He was also a proud spokesman for the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation’s donation campaign.

Our immeasurable gratitude goes to the medical staff and employees at Parkwood, especially the Veterans Arts and Recreation Therapy people who encouraged Dad to continue to pursue his love of painting, music, cooking, and nature following the passing of our mom. He loved his banjo, guitar, harmonica and singing along with family and friends.

Dad served as a guard in WW2, and created many commemorative paintings while at Parkwood, with proceeds donated to Palliative Care in memory of our Mom.

A London citizen since 1937 after moving from Belmont Ontario, Dad worked as an electrician at Labatt Breweries for more than 30 years, and belonged to the Grand Bend Legion.

Dad was a valued member of St. Andrew Memorial Anglican Church throughout his life.

Also to many he was known as “Scouter Bob” and was involved in Scouting from 1938 as a Scout, 1959 as a Leader and he maintained many of those relationships into his later years. Dad was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Award in 1980 for his dedication and love of the scouting world. 

Dad and Mom taught us always to help and respect others, love each other forever and always and to love life. We will carry on, knowing that they are together now.

If you wish, expressions of sympathy can be made to the charity of your choice in Dad’s memory.

“We’ll meet again,

Don’t know where, Don’t know when,

But I know we’ll meet again,

Some sunny day”