The Stephenson Family is saddened by the passing of Robert George Strickland Stephenson. Passing at he age of 88,on October 1, 2019, Father, Papa, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Brother and loving husband for 67 years of the late Arlene Stephenson (nee Boyd) was called on his final adventure. He will be missed by his children Rick (Kathy), Judy (Kevin), Brenda (Steve), Ron (Kim), predeceased by Kathy and her husband John. Grandchildren Shawn, Brian (Kirsten), Erin (Seith), Lisa (Michael), Wesley (Courtney), Christopher (Ceara), Emily and step-granddaughter Amie (Marcelo). Great grandchildren Emma, Elise, Zoey, Valerie, Sunny, Zackary, Nora and step-great granddaughter Bae. A lifelong resident of Newcastle, Bob turned his hand at many things. After a short employment at General Motors, Bob became a cash crop farmer on the family land east of Newcastle. His harvest yielded award winning tomatoes for Campbell’s Soups, the best sweet corn and produce in the area and grains for Quaker Oats in Peterborough. During the early years Bob’s winter employment included driving sand truck for Clarke Township and Manager of the Newcastle Arena. He was a proud member and goalie for the famed Orono Orphans Hockey Team. He coached hockey, the girl’s Ringette team and provided countless hours making sure the new artificial ice was ready for winter enjoyment. His favourite past times included fishing, ice fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skating and communing with nature. As the Senior Boy Scout Rover group leader Bob’s interest in the 3 Rs bloomed. It all started with fund raising paper drives and grew into Newcastle Salvage. Reduce, Re-use and Recycle became a household phrase. For 35 plus years, doing things “his way”, Bob lived up to his mottoes “we doze, but never close” and “Got a problem? Call Bob.” Bob will be remembered for his pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit, someone unafraid to speak his mind. His support for the community was evidenced by the countless sports sweaters bearing the Newcastle Salvage name, the salvage yard a practice ground for the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Fighters and various other donations of time and equipment. Always willing to give anyone a chance, many local teens and young adults attended Bob’s school of common sense. Some learning Heavy Equipment Operation skills and gaining experience not found in the local schools. A source of non-stop entertainment, Bob’s kind, witty, stubborn and sometimes confrontational attitude will be missed. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff of Hillsadale Terraces in Oshawa for their care, understanding and compassion. Thank you to each and everyone who cared for our parents. Your dedication and commitment is so very special to those in your care and their families. You are invited to share your stories and memories of Bob at a Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 10, 2019 between 1:30 and 4:30 pm at the Brownsdale Community Centre. Donations may be directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association.