Robert William Tannas

“Dad, you’re joking me again!” called out one of Bob’s young sons… A big smile and twinkling eyes were frequently seen on Bob’s face as this gentle, patient man brightened our days with his sense of humour. We were blessed to have him with us. 

The eldest of nine children born to Fred and Elizabeth Tannas, he grew up on the family farm close to Bellis, Alberta, where he went to school. To earn money to go to the University of Alberta, where he would obtain his B.Ed. and B.A, he worked on road construction in the summers.  He arrived in Boyle in 1970 to serve as a teacher-librarian. It was in Boyle that he met his wife-to-be, Carole.  When the school board in 1973 offered Carole a position at E.P.C. in Athabasca, he decided to follow her there, and they were married that summer. Bob and Carole have resided in Athabasca since then.

Bob’s special interests included Western Canadian history, Classical (especially Roman) history, cars, fishing, canoeing, photography, aviation, and travel. He served on the Alice B. Donahue Library and Archives board for many years and upon retiring from teaching in 2007, joined the Athabasca Seniors Society. There he became a director and then a general maintenance helper until his back gave out. His decline in health eventually led to a 7 month stay in Athabasca Extendicare.

He was predeceased by parents Fred and Elizabeth, and sisters Nora and Catherine.  Siblings Fedora, Ellen, Margaret, Donald, Linda, and Evelyn survive him, as well as their spouses and children. He is leaving Carole, sons Alan, Lee, and Joel and Alan’s wife Gen (Geneviève) and grand-children Alexandre and Gabriel with happy memories.

As per his requests, he is being cremated by the Athabasca Community Chapel and will not have a funeral service. A special get together for friends and relatives will occur next Spring.                

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