Robert Kobylanski – fondly known as Brother Bert, Uncle Bert, or Bertski – was born on April 14, 1965 in Spirit River, Alberta and passed away in Rycroft, Alberta, on December 6, 2017. Bert loved the outdoors and the brothers always teamed up to feed the cows and work the farm with Dad. Bert, Alan and Larry spent a lot of their summer months fishing at Sturgeon Lake; and a lot of Walleye was caught at Atekameg Lake. Then in the winter, they would ice fish at Lesser Slave Lake and closer to home at Moonshine Lake. All the boys loved to ride motor bikes and skidoos – inventing new and wondrous things to pull behind the skidoo kept them busy all winter long. Bert loved his rock and roll music and fondly recalled the trip to Edmonton with Larry to see one of their favorite bands, Def Leppard, in concert.
Robert’s experience growing up on the farm prepared him well for almost every job he had. He worked as an Elevator Assistant at UGG in Wanham for almost 10 years receiving and shipping cereal grains and oilseeds. He enjoyed communicating daily with customers and quickly became well known to many in the community. Bert then became the Agricore Custom Service supervisor, organizing the seasonal staff, inspecting canola fields, and maintaining the buildings and equipment. Bert worked as Crew-truck Foreman/Pipefitter for Woodland Enterprises before he ventured out to operate his own business, Wizard Oilfield Maintenance.
For the past 5 and a half years, Bert worked here in the Village of Rycroft as the Public Works Foreman. He was always so happy to support any cause; like contributing to the Communities in Bloom, volunteering as a Village of Rycroft Fireman; giving time each year in the Rycroft Reverse Santa Claus Parade, and serving as President of the COCO Hall in Wanham. Bert’s excellent public relations skills and easy nature have been a shining light for the surrounding communities.
His warm heart and quick wit, his great sense of humour and boisterous nature made any of his friends and all of his family welcome at any time. His door was always open. Robert was predeceased by his father, Mike Kobylanski, and leaves to mourn his loving family: mother Sonya Kobylanski, Anne-Marie Silvius, Alan Kobylansk (Cheryl), Katrina and Hailey, Wasyl (Josie), Larry, Paula (Harv), Jenna (Cory), Andrew (Courtney), Aunts, Uncles, numerous cousins and long-time friends.