Obituaries & Memorials

Robert “Bob” Gordon Tyler

June 17, 1947 - July 9, 2023


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Bob was born in Milden Hospital, Milden, Sask. to Frederick and Marian Tyler on June 17, 1947. He grew up like any typical farm kid until he contracted the polio virus at the age of five. He spent six months in the three Saskatoon hospitals and even some time in the iron lung. Prognosis was he’d never walk but with his mother exercising him he was able to walk and work on the family farm. He would hay, throw bales, summer fallow, haul grain at harvest on the fly, participated in 4-H, and raised rabbits for pets. Cows, pigs, horses, chickens, turkeys and various other farm animals kept the whole family busy with chores. He also had a strong right throwing arm in ball and football. Bob attended Glenhurst Country School by horse and buggy and completed his schooling at Milden Central School in 1966. He then attended Moose Jaw Tech for one year. Bob started working as Assistant Administrator for the Town of Rosetown and did bookkeeping for the Wheatbelt Centennial Lodge on weekends. Although Bob and Urla had known each other through high school it took a chance meeting on the Main Street of Milden for them to start dating. Six months later, they were engaged in December of 1967, their centennial project! They were married on August 3, 1968 in Sovereign
United Church, Sovereign, Sask. Bob took the University of Saskatchewan Urban Administrative Course by correspondence. In 1971, he accepted the Town Administrator position with the Town of Wilkie. After two years, August, 1973, Bob and Urla decided it was time for a change and instead of New York they moved to Biggar where he held the Town Administrator position for 37 years, in total
43 years in municipal administration! His many councillors and staff kept him busy and he was very proud of “his” Town. He worked every evening and most Saturdays over the years because something always had to be done. Bob enjoyed his work right to his retirement and was very conscientious to do an excellent job to perfection. He enjoyed the public, staff and many government officials and colleagues. He was the problem solver at work and at home. His accomplishments on behalf of the town are many and acknowledged by his colleagues. His sense of humour always came out in his toasts to brides/grooms, colleagues, eulogies, conventions, and parties. He always had a good story researched or joke or was making up silly rhymes. The best time we all remember was when he roasted each person in attendance at his Town of Biggar retirement. So many good memories to pick on.
In 1981 he was elected as President of the Urban Administrators Association of Saskatchewan serving for one year and remained as director for many years. During his year as President, Town Administration was recognized by legislation as a profession.
Bob and Urla were blessed with two daughters, Raylene in 1974 and Melanie in 1977 to complete their little family. Later the family grew to two sons-in-law and six grandsons, and he was always interested and proud of all their accomplishments and interests. Bob was a charter member of the Biggar Kinsmen Club and made many lasting friendships. He even worked at the first TeleMiracle and many other fundraisers and community enhancements with the club. Bob loved antique cars in every shape and form, never missing a Draggins Rod and Custom Car Show. And when travelling, car museums were always on the agenda. Everything he did with pride and made sure things were in good running order, whether cars, lawn mowers or rototiller, ask the girls they worked on them too! Bob enjoyed travelling with family and spent time golfing, fishing, and boating at Aquadeo Beach and then to the daughters’ homes became the norm for holidays. Following retirement he had so many projects to do and places he wished to go but was unable to do because of his several health issues. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Urla; daughters, Raylene (Brad) Marshall and Melanie (Carey) Tatton; six grandsons, Nathan, Connor, Dylan, and Nash Marshall, and Josh and Cole Tatton; brother, Jim (Vicky) Tyler; sisters, Lynn (Dave) Park, and Fay Jiricka (Randy McDonald); aunt, Mary Parker; sisterin-law, Myrna (Al) Muir; and nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family; and many friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Marian Tyler; brother Lloyd; infant sister, Bonnie Louise; niece, Diana Tyler; grandparents, Herbert and Marion Tyler, and Marian Thompson; parents-in-law, Russell and Ada Webb; aunts, uncles and cousins. Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. from Biggar United Church with Dale Worrall officiating; Scripture readers were Joy McFarlane-Burton and Kathy Sarvas; Eulogists were sons-in-law, Brad Marshall and Carey Tatton; Urn Bearers were his six grandsons, Nathan, Connor, Dylan, Nash, Josh and Cole; trumpet solo by Gordon Laycock, “Hallelujah”, music by Biggar United Church Joy Singers “Take My Hand”, and Doreen Dubreuil organist/pianist with lunch following at Biggar Community Hall. Inturnment will be in Biggar Memorial Gardens Cemetery at a later date. Memorial tributes in memory of Bob may be gratefully accepted to the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan, 301 – 2550 – 12th Ave., Regina, SK S4P 3X1; Biggar United Church, P.O. Box 1259, Biggar SK S0K 0M0;
Kinsmen TeleMiracle, 2217C Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8 Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium, North Battleford, Sask. were in charge of arrangements.

The family of Bob Tyler would like to express their thanks and gratitude for all the kindnesses, visits, food, flowers, phone calls, stories, oh the stories! hugs, accolades from friends, relatives and past colleagues, support and prayers during this hard time. Thank you for the many monetary tributes in Bob’s memory to TeleMiracle, Biggar United Church and Alzheimer’s Society.
We would have loved to visit with each and everyone that attended his Celebration of Life. He would have sooo! enjoyed the gathering. Please know that you are appreciated.
Sincerely and God Bless, Urla;
Raylene, Brad, Nathan, Connor, Dylan and Nash Marshall;
Melanie, Carey, Josh and Cole Tatton


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