Obituary of Robert (Bob) Charles King-Hunter

 Robert (Bob) King-Hunter was born in Hanna on December 29, 1948, and grew up nine miles from Sunnynook, on a farm-ranch by Highway 36. He took Alberta correspondence lessons until he and his family moved to Hanna in 1964, where he attended school there. Shortly after leaving school at the age of 16 years, Bob began working with his dad, Ron, on a wide variety of renovation and construction projects.  When Ron could no longer work, Bob continued alone with R. King-Hunter and Son, hiring ‘his staff’, and learning new skills such as cutting down trees. These new skills led to some interesting stories and mishaps (he was, after all, likely one of the few who could fall off a six-foot ladder, get up, and keep working), which Bob told with much good humor.  Bob also worked at the IGA, where he felt like a true member of the team. When not working, Bob greatly enjoyed coffee times at various spots in and around Hanna with his friends where he gathered all sorts of information about happenings in Hanna and beyond and gave and received advice (“and so on”). Bob enjoyed and supported his community, organizing fundraising events, for example, for the local SPCA, and helping with King-Hunter Park, as well as being a member of the local Lions Club at one point. He was particularly proud of receiving a Spirit of Hanna award in recognition of his community efforts and was nominated for a small business award, which he also treasured. Although fiercely and proudly independent because he ‘was a tough old rooster’, Bob valued his relationships both with animals and with people. His beloved orange cat, Rusty, was the source of much enjoyment for him.  He loved talking, recounting names and details that were forgotten by others and at times, it seemed that he knew just about everyone in Hanna and in surrounding areas, and they knew him. 

Bob was predeceased by an older infant sister, Barbara, and by his parents, Ron and Beth King-Hunter and his aunts and uncles (Anita and Hector King-Hunter; Edith and Jack Wallwork), as well as cousins Larry and Bruce King-Hunter. 

He is survived by his sister Joyce (Stan) Engel and their children, Lindsay (James), Braden (Brittany), Kenton (Jenna), Justin, and Devin, as well as by great nephews Kingston and Lincoln and great nieces Blake, Ryan, Freya, and Elora, and by cousins.  

Many thanks to the Hanna long-term care staff and to the physicians who cared for Bob over the last few months and to those who visited and kept Bob in their thoughts, especially Shelly and Diana.
A Come and Go Memorial Gathering will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 
2 pm – 4 pm at the Hanna Lions Hall.
If desired, memorial donations in memory of Bob can be made directly to The Hector King-Hunter Pioneer Park Association, Box 430, Hanna, AB, T0J 1P0.
Hanna Funeral Services has been entrusted with the care and arrangements, 403-854-5956, www.hannafuneral.ca.