Robert Wadden

CWO (ret’d) Robert (Bob) Moore Wadden MMM, CD, C.E.T.
With profound sadness, the family announces that Bob peacefully passed away November 26, with his wife Gertrude at his side. He was 83.

Beloved husband of Gertrude (née Schultheiss) of 59 years. Dearly loved father of Deanna (Michael Bernards), Edith Over (Jim), and Kimberley Glass (Dave); cherished grandfather of Robert (Emma), Cameron (Jenny), Katie, Jordan, and Jessica. Bob is also survived by his brother Hugh, and nieces in NS, NL, and BC. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mayme Wadden, his brothers Kenneth, Crawford, and Eldon, his sisters Edith and Catherine, and nephew Thomas.

A native of Port Morien, Cape Breton, NS, Bob joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1956. Bob’s career in the Canadian Military spanned 28 years as part of the Canadian Military Engineers, during which he was posted to several bases: RCAF Station Goose Bay; 2 Construction Maintenance Unit (2CMU) Calgary; Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake; CFB Winnipeg; CFB Rockcliffe; CFB Alert (twice); CFB St. Hubert; CFB Lahr (in Germany); Maritime Command Headquarters (MARCOMHQ) in Halifax; CFB Shilo.
 
At the age of 34, Bob was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO); at that time, he was the youngest CWO in the Canadian Armed Forces. Bob’s outstanding service and leadership was recognized in 1976 when he was awarded the Order of Military Merit.

In 1984, Bob left the military to spend 14 years in public service at National Defence Headquarters as a Senior Technologist in the Water, Fuels, and Environmental Section of Director Base Maintenance. In total, Bob dedicated 42 years of service to his country.

If Bob’s first love was his family, his second love was hockey. An avid Boston Bruins fan, and himself a talented but tough player, Bob “Elbows” Wadden played semi-pro hockey for the Bonnyville (Alberta) Pontiacs in the late 1950s and early 60s and on base teams wherever he was posted. In 1976, Bob was player/coach of the Canadian Forces Europe hockey team, which made a return visit to Canada to win the Canadian Forces Hockey Championship.


Visitation will be at the
 
Kelly Funeral Home-Orleans
2370 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans
K1C1G1 613-837-2370


Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at 9:30, followed by a Memorial Service in the chapel at 11am. Pursuant to vaccinated attendance regulations, at the request of the family, attendance will be restricted to fully vaccinated guests only. Advanced registration is not required, however all guests must supply proof of double vaccination and a mask to enter the facility.

In memoriam, donations to The Ottawa Mission or The Royal Canadian Legion are appreciated. www.kellyfh.ca