Tribute Wall
Plant a tree in memory of Robert
An environmentally friendly option
Provide comfort for the family by sending flowers or planting a tree in memory of Robert Rea.
Guaranteed hand delivery by a local florist
Loading...
d
The family of Robert James "Rob" Rea uploaded a photo
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
/tribute-images/7802/Ultra/Robert-Rea.jpg
Please wait
d
The family of Robert James "Rob" Rea uploaded a photo
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
/tribute-images/4969/Ultra/Robert-Rea.jpg
Please wait
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
T
The family of Robert James Rea posted a condolence
Monday, May 25, 2020
The family of Robert James Rea uploaded a photo
S
Sheri McConnell posted a condolence
Monday, October 3, 2016
Bob, Marsha, Tara and Family I am so sorry for your loss, I just found out. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts & prayers. Lots of love & hugs, Sheri xoxo
P
Pat & Bob Forsyth posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to the Rea family.
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Friday, August 12, 2016
Hazard Identification <p> Hazard Identification</p> <p> As the safety manager, I find that sometimes I laugh at some things that happen in the field:</p> <p> I received an e-mail from Shell regarding the installation of extra back up lights that were installed on our scrapers and the identification of the water monitoring station. I looked at the picture and thought one of our workers was standing in the snow. I didn’t understand what she was talking about regarding the identification of the water monitoring station.</p> <p> I was busy so I continued working.</p> <p> Several hours later I received another picture and looked at the coveralls and hard hat being held up by lathe stakes. I had no idea what the supervisor, Rob Rea and his crew were up to.</p> <p> I decided to phone Rob. One of the workers on site went to Rob and said that the water monitoring station had not been identified properly so workers could see it in their equipment.</p> <p> Rob being Rob got old ripped coveralls out of the back of his truck and cut off the legs. V.E. Brandl had changed their hard hats from yellow to fluorescent green so Rob had an old hard hat. So Rob identified the water table by making it look like a worker so nobody would damage that area.</p> <p> I laughed and have always kept the pictures on my filing cabinet doors which always made me smile.</p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
The Deer Tragedy <p> Rob would write stories and send them to the office which everyone enjoyed:</p> <p> The Deer Tragedy</p> <p> There it was lying on the shoulder of the road. The body of a dead deer. I don't know if it was a homicide, a suicide or the pesticides to control the noxious weeds that killed it. I didn't touch it! Oh, I've handled dead bodies before but I was going to leave this one to the coroner. She's a tough ‘ol broad, and she’s gonna need every ounce of that toughness to handle this one. I unzipped my V.E. Brandl emergency kit, filled out the “dead deer” JSA (Job Safety Analysis) and took out the yellow supervisor’s police tape. From the back of my truck I took out the 4 remaining lathe stakes from an hourly job, left there by an unnamed oil company and I started to pound one into the ground and realized I hadn’t put on my safety glasses. I did so and secured the body, using a fence post to start my yellow ribbon rather than cut open a bundle of bid lathe stakes. I took out my fencing pliers and cut the top two strings of barbed wire so I could safely climb over the farmer’s fence. Stepping over those last wires, I made my way to a 40 x 40 meter flat area and kicked, SOS in the snow. It was 4 more days’ til pay day and here I was in the pitch of night waiting for the authorities to arrive. I could sure use a coffee right about now. Then I remember the 2 packages of Maxwell House crystals that I had appropriated from the lunchroom of the Graham River Camp and had kept it in the console of my truck, because, well, you just never know. With my fencing pliers I fashioned a tripod with a loop on top, just big enough to hold my metal coffee mug. I planted the barbed wire coffee maker in the snow, filled up the mug with one of the bottles of water left over from the summer and filled out a JSA. The thought hadn’t crossed my mind to use the defibrillator on the deer, but I needed caffeine right now, and that would have to wait. I took the defib unit from behind the seat, and taped the paddles to the tripod. As I reached for the power button, I looked into the eyes of that dead deer and realized that I was standing in snow beside my metal tripod. I filled out a “Near Miss.” I swept away a spot to stand, laid 2 rubber mats in that area so I could safely light this puppy up. Again reaching down to the power button, I pressed and there was no hold back. 3, 2, 1 Clear, I pushed the button. Six more times I would push it, until the plastic lid of my metal coffee mug started melting. Yes that should be good. I powered off and pried off the lid. I got a paper cut tearing open the foil of the packet, filled out an incident report, and hunkered down in the front seat of my truck, without floor mats, staring at some farmers 2 wired fence, watching the steam rise where the snow used to be next to the barbed wire defibrillator coffee maker. Then I looked at the deer within my yellow supervisor’s police tape and I said to myself “well this is a real tragedy.” But like the ying and yang out of all tragedy comes some good. So I found that good in the hardest cup of roadside defibrillator coffee that I ever made. </p> <p> So if you’re waiting for the coroner, veterinarian or the cops and caffeine is calling just pull out all the stops. Then raise your mug in fondness when the dead deer don’t’ hop. Maxwell House road-side defibrillator coffee truly is good to the last drop.</p> <p> The End</p> <p> By Rob Rea</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Weirdest Thing I Ever Found <p> The staff at V.E. Brandl loved it when Rob sent in his stories and some were even to history lessons:</p> <p> Weirdest Thing I Ever Found</p> <p> I was 70 feet down in my pit on William’s Creek when I reached out with my excavator bucket and hooked a timber that was sticking out of the wall and then… the wall exploded. It took out my front window, briefly covering me in glass and mud until the water, the relentless torrents that pinned me back in my seat, making it difficult to move or even breath, washed it away. I fought to get to my controls and somehow managed, so I swung the machine around and walked the excavator out of the pit.</p> <p> I had hit an old mining drift from the 1860’s, it wasn’t the first time, after all I was only 800 meters downstream from where Billy Barker pulled 60 ounces of gold out by hand on his first day at the depth of 50 feet.</p> <p> It took four 6 inch Flite pumps, 7 days to get back to that sweet spot where I could control the water with just 2 pumps and could carry on mining.</p> <p> M first day back in the pit, I had morning coffee watching white wax candles bobbing in the water, there was no battery powered headlamps in the 1860’s, candle power lit the way. But then, I looked down between my excavator tracks at the front of the machine and that’s when I saw it. Black, tattered, with the appearance of leather from my vantage point, it was clearly from a bye gone era. I opened the door of my machine and climbed down, asking one question as I reached down for the object. Now what miner would leave his boots, in the Mine?...</p> <p> There are reasons why we have to do what we do, but it’s only when we take the time to look back to find out how we got here, that we will be able to treat what we do with a little more respect.</p> <p> On May 3, 1887, at the foot of what is now Milton Avenue In Nanaimo, a massive explosion occurred at the No. 1 pit, of the Vancouver Coal and Land Company’s, Esplanade Mine. 154 men were trapped within the maze of tunnels as the fire burned for the next three days. Families gather and waited in the rain as the 170 volunteers struggled to put out the fire. Mines Inspector Archie Dick’s description of the scene is, I assume from his report, “…cars, both loaded and empty, were piled up and twisted into every conceivable shape” the suction fan which had been installed to ventilate the mine was a “mass of iron, distorted and ruined.”</p> <p> On May the 6th Archie led a group of five, three-quarters of a mile in the drift in water up to their necks in places until they came upon a make-shift barricade.</p> <p> I can tell you from my experiences working underground that one does not know what darkness truly is until you turn your light off in such a place. So imagine if you will, making your way around that barricade in the flickering light of a candled headlamp, as the silhouettes of 35 men sitting with their backs against the wall, coming in and out of focus as you approach, some of the eyes were wide open, others were closed, they were all dead, carbon monoxide had replaced the air in their lungs.</p> <p> What we do know is they had survived the blast, “13 hours of misery…John Stevens”, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5 o’clock… W. Bone” those messages were found written on support timbers in the drift.</p> <p> 148 men died, 95 white men, 53 Chinese, leaving 41 widows and leaving 129 fatherless. Two bodies were never found in the mine, and 50 of the Chinese miners were officially recorded as having the last name Mah, you see at the time the employer didn’t have to report that any man was even missing…</p> <p> In the aftermath of this event The Vancouver Coal and Land Company being one of the world’s largest coal producers at the time, stepped up to the plate and offered free housing and food for the widows and children for as long as they needed it, thus becoming the first act of workmen’s compensation in BC history. </p> <p> So when a request is made for filling out Safety Meetings or Inspection Forms, … Logbooks, and Hazard Assessment’s, … or you are reading the regulations, the standards or the codes, … if you are mentoring a new worker or writing up an old one… those 148 men gasping their last breaths and the 77 others that perished 8 months later at the Dunsmuir Mine, also in Nanaimo, are the reasons why, these 225 lives are the foundation for all of Barb’s paperwork and this is why we do what we do.</p> <p> Now what miners would leave his boots, in the Mine?...</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Language Barrier <p> We all loved Rob and his stories!</p> <p> Language Barrier’s by Rob Rea 30/09/13</p> <p> 95 kms, the round trip distance for the 3 trucks that I am loading today, so in between loads I am trying to find solutions to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.</p> <p> To find the solution first you must identify the problem. It is quite obvious that the problem originated with “Camels.” You see since the dawn of time camels have been a part of the Middle Eastern culture, however the big problem is that some camels have one hump and some have two humps. This unfortunately created a condition called “Hump Envy” and a rift developed between the haves and the have not’s. Soon a black market economy developed with shady characters hanging out in the back alleys of Jerusalem and Mecca. “Hey wanna hump” they would say to the citizens that passed the alley as they would try to see the latest style of hump. For a thousand years the “Hey, wanna Hump” method of sale, ruled the camel accessories market.</p> <p> It was in 1840 that the problems really began when the British intervened in the fight between the Ottomans and Egypt. The British brought their own camels, imported camel cigarettes. However, the British do not call them cigarettes, they call them hags (insert f instead of h). Now as we all know hags are illegal in Muslim countries, and those dark and shady characters picked up on this right away. Soon they were back in their alley’s saying “wanna hag and a hump.” This my friends has been the problem with the Middle East. You have had hags and humps being sold in the back alleys for hundreds of years. Its time to get it out into the open. A very simple solution really because whether you have one hump or two humps or a hag and a hump, anyway you look at it your still gonna be walking funny.</p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Sunset Reflections <p> Looking at this story that Rob wrote, I require a lot of paperwork from the supervisors!</p> <p> Sunset Reflections</p> <p> Well, today I came back to the Sunset Water Hub and there were some noticeable changes, a manhole at the storm water pond, line in the storm water pond, a new ditch surrounding the site, and the memories of the year that has passed since I first came to this site. A years’ worth of observation cards, Job Safety Analysis, Safety Meetings, Short Service Employees and Inspection Forms, Corporate Policies, Unfortunate Incident Reports, 730 packs of cigarettes, 1 dead deer, a fine cup of coffee, an unresolved anger towards horses, 4 MRI’s, the loss of a friend, the hope for a young one, and a wish that this year will end better than it has been.</p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Richard Hopkins <p> Richard Hopkins</p> <p> The original e-mail to Rob was from Barb the Safety Manager requesting he do a heavy equipment training acknowledgment for Richard Hopkins. </p> <p> </p> <p> This was Rob's response:</p> <p> This is me, acknowledging that Richards Hopkins has indeed operated EX361 (excavator number). He is very, very good too! Such skill, such finesse, he does such a nice job and does so while wearing fire retardant coveralls, hard hat, safety glasses, steel toed boots, gloves, a quilt that his grandmother made and other find apparel from the Louis Vuitton collection. He has good manners and doesn’t chew with his mouth open and doesn’t talk with his mouth full. If he brings gum he will share it with the rest of the class and I swear that I seen him helping a little old lady across the road the other day.</p> <p> He can sometimes do all this with a cigarette in his mouth and do paper work at the same time. He can throw a baseball with his right or his left yet he can’t switch hit. He was thrown out many times at first base, then he got married and made it home. Richard is on his way to Vegas and should be arriving there right about now. That b******! </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Observation Card <p> Observation Card Comments</p> <p> </p> <p> It took me while to locate this pen. I don’t know what happens to my pens they just vanish. It’s a real mystery and one that’s worth solving. So this afternoon I decided to call the professionals. The 911 operator was confused at first. “I seem to have lost my pen” “Sir” she said “This number is for emergencies.” I said “This is an emergency, my pen is MISSING and I am required to fill out this observation card, 6 or 7 Job Safety Analysis, vehicle inspections, Short Service Employees Form, Mentor Form and 3 employee evaluations.” “Sir, once again this is for emergencies only.” Then she hung up on me. It has taken me nearly 3 months to finish writing this observation card. One of these days I will get to the bottom of this – where do my pens go?</p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Napoleon Complex <p> Napoleon Complex</p> <p> I have discovered recently that some cattle and, from what I have found the Black Angus breed, have what is known as Napoleon Complex. Napoleon Complex is a psychological condition that usually appears in short men, in which the individual displays an over aggressiveness to compensate for their lack of size. This can be displayed in historic figures such as Napoleon himself or Al Capone. This condition first presented itself to me as I was ordering &frac;34; inch minus gravel from Rogers Trucking. As I was on the phone with Ren the dispatcher at Rogers Trucking, the Black Angus cows in the Community Pasture began to systematically jump onto the hind quarters of Hereford’s, in fact they ran off towards the trees as soon as they had an opportunity to do so. The Black Angus then went after the White Charolaise, which I could not fully understand. You see the Charolais are clearly smaller than the Angus. The Angus approached and immediately tried to get a better view of the Groundbirch Valley. The poor Charolais legs wobbled from the weight and it quickly ran off to join the Hereford’s. </p> <p> Later in the day I noticed that all the cattle had gathered at the tree line and for the most part, were grazing. The Angus carried on with their bizarre behavior, jumping up on the hind quarters of the Herefords and looking around for a better view. Well you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that you are not going to see the valley standing on the hind quarters of a Hereford when you are standing next to the forest. I guess that’s why they say that cows are dumb.</p> <p> </p>
B
Barb Riswold posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Cowboy Bob Christy <p> </p> <p> Cowboy Bob Christy</p> <p> “Cowboy” Bob Christy climbed down off of his excavator at my request. He made his way over to my truck and I said “you better hop in.” We barely spoke on that 500 meter drive to the next wellsite. I guess he couldn’t tell from the concern in my face that there was a problem.</p> <p> I had noticed them right away the first time I’d pulled onto the lease, and what I needed, was Bob’s expert opinion and analysis to help resolve the situation. I drove up beside a half dried mud puddle, stopped my pick up and we hopped out. I walked over and looked down at the puddle, mystery hanging in the air and said “What do you make of that?” He stared off in the distance for a moment, rubbing his thumb nail across his lower lip, thinking, then he broke the silence and said “Those are cow tracks.” He reached for a piece of straw that was growing next to the puddle, slid his thumb and index finger up the stalk until it pulled the pieces of wheat off the end. He tossed the wheat into the air and watched them drift away in the breeze and then he tilted his head back and took a deep breath through his nose. A dark grin washed over his face as he raised his arm and pointed a finger and said “They’re heading that way, Rob.” He knelt down and brushed his hand across the eight imprints and said “There are 2 of them about 25 minutes ahead of us.” I said “Bob they’re standing right over there at the edge of the lease. What the heck are you doing? The problem is that they are not supposed to be on this side of the fence and there is no gate to get them back in.”</p> <p> I could see that my friend was a little hurt so I asked him to get back into the pickup for a chat. Bob explained to me that he had just received his “Status” card and then proceeded to tell me of all the wonderful gifts that such a card brings such as cheap cigarettes, front row seats at bingo and a 10% discount at Walmart 4 times a month. He spoke with such pride that I didn’t want to hurt his feelings but I just had to ask “What if you quit smoking, don’t play bingo or don’t shop at Wallmart?” He said “then it teaches you how to scout cattle.”</p> <p> Of all the days that I could use a Cowboy…</p> <p> </p> <p> Rob Rea</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>
B
Bob Christy posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Love the story Rob wrote about me being Cowboy Bob!
S
Sara Mitchell posted a condolence
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Karen, my old friend, I am so sorry for your loss. I extend most sincere condolences to all Rob's loved ones. He was obviously a very special person and will be missed.
A
Alex Sherratt and Fargey boys posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to you Karen, Rob's children and his family. We are so very saddened by your loss. Alex, Joseph and Matthew
P
Patricia Rummel posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Our deepest condolences to the Rea family. Keeping you all in our hearts and prayers.
M
Maureen Chester posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
To the Rea family my heartfelt condolences on your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Rob but I do know he came from one of the finest families I have had the pleasure to know. My thoughts are with all of you at this time.
D
Dawn Hartford posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Thinking of you my friend. My heart goes out to you.
S
Shelley Fraser posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
My condolences to his family. He was such a kind man. I remember calling when it was tax time and asking him if he knew addresses for the camps I had stayed in because I qualified for a partial northern residents deduction. He was on the phone with me for half an hour giving me contact names to call and trying to google the addresses. Heaven truly is a better place with him there. Shelley
D
Dave Berston posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family. They are in our prayers. Dave's memory of Rob's love for nature will be with him forever as they have the same appreciation for our beautiful country. God bless his family
E
Evelyn posted a condolence
Monday, August 8, 2016
Our hearts ache for your loss. May his memory surround you with love and peace xo
R
Roy Mousseau posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Gonna Miss You Rob I can can still hear your voice calling me on the radio giving me instructions. You were a good teacher n great friend I'll never forget you Budz R.I.P. Rob
C
Corissa Feenstra posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2016
My condolences to robs family. Rob was the kindest and sweetest man to deal with in the field and office. He always went out of his way to say thank you for the help no matter how small the job was and was always there to lend a hand when needed. May you rest you peace Rob.
C
Cole posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Rob was a great man, one of the nicest guys that I ever got to work with. He always had a smile and time to chat. Rest easy buddy.
S
Sadie Shippelt posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2016
My deepest sympathy to Rob's family and friends. I am proud to call this man a friend. We spent many days working together and he was by far the most understanding, friendly, gentle soul I encountered in the oil patch. You will be missed but never forgotten.
M
Maryse Morgan posted a condolence
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Karen, thinking of you with sorrow and peace. My heart felt condolences to you. Lots of love to you.
Looking for more information? Our funeral home is here to help guide you through this difficult time. This section contains helpful information for the days to come.
Taking the time to arrange your funeral is one less thing your loved ones will need to worry about once you’ve passed. One of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family is the pre-arrangement and pre-payment of your funeral.
Please be advised when posting a condolence onto a Tribute Page it goes through an approval process before being published.
Our Goal:
Welcome to Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium in Dawson Creek, BC.
Contact Us
Phone: 250-782-2424
Toll-free: 1-800-217-2299
E-mail: wecare@reynars.com
1300 102 Avenue
Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2C6
location
Find Us
