Robert Bruce Henderson

May 14, 2020
On May 14, 2020 Bob passed away peacefully at home with his loving family following a stoic battle with cancer. Bob was born in Golden, BC. He was the oldest of four boys: Gord (Wendy), Wayne (Lori), and Allen, born to Bruce and Jean.
Bob's life was full of what mattered most to him: family, friends, and physical activity. During his high school years, he met his best friend and soul mate, Karen. They enjoyed more than fifty years together. Bob and Karen worked hard to build a strong family. They had five children: Shannon (Chris), Jennifer (Lance), Richard, Tyson, and Amanda (Troy). He enjoyed watching his family grow to include ten grandchildren: Zoey, Elise, Molly, Treyden, Teagan, Heidi, Ryann, Hunter, Ellis and Callie. He often commented on how much he appreciated how different they each were.
Bob had an extremely rewarding career as a teacher, where he had a profound impact on youth. He just knew how to connect! In his early teaching years, he taught Physical Education and Mathematics in Fernie and Terrace, BC. He thrived most while teaching at The Senior Alternate Program in Salmon Arm until his retirement in 2009. Throughout his career, he coached a wide range of school and community sports. As a coach he had the ideal combination of athleticism, people skills and competitive drive. Bob was an extremely hard working, capable man. During the summers and into his retirement he worked various physical jobs: carpentry, logging, forestry, lumber mills, and the oil industry. Bob was truly a "jack of all trades"; he believed in doing it himself.
Along with Karen, their wonderful friends, and Bob's brothers and their wives, he enjoyed many motorcycle adventures, sports "leagues", and social events. Bob was often the facilitator of these activities, which always included games, competition, humour, and a good dose of harassment. Bob loved to tease. Most of all he loved pranks. Bob never believed in following the rules simply for the sake of it. He found the perfect balance between risk-taking and stability. One of Bob's greatest strengths was his ability to bring people together. He worked hard to keep his family together, to maintain connections with extended family, and to connect with friends and co-workers.
So many of us can draw on a piece of ourselves that Bob influenced. What a legacy! Bob was predeceased by his parents, Bruce and Jean, and his son Tyson.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to "St. Paul's Sinus Centre" through St. Paul's Hospital Foundation, Phone: 604-682-8206, Web: www.helpstpauls.com
Online condolences may be sent to Bob's family through his obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Celebrating of life:
We invite you to join us as we celebrate Bob's life on Sunday, September 11th, at 1:30 pm, at the Salmon Arm Elks Hall, 3690 30th St NE.
Bring your memories, bring your stories to share, bring your laughter, and let's give him a send off in keeping with the way he lived life.
Bring a lawn chair so you can relax with friends following the presentations, and if you're wanting to dress as Bob would have dressed, white socks and sandals are highly recommended.


Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium