A strong and generous personality, Robert “Bob” Arthur Rye, 69, of Ilderton, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family at LHSC Victoria Campus on March 6, 2024, after a year-long battle with cancer. He leaves behind his loving wife, Norma Marten; his children Kevin Garton & Denise (Dan) Leger, both of London; Allison Taylor (Zach), Belleville; Steven Rye, Sudbury; his 2 stepchildren, Ernst (Michelle) Marten, Burlington; and Erica Marten (Tom), Port Elgin. Loving grandfather to Mekayla, Emily, Max, Logan, Brooke, Blake, and Conor. Also survived by his brother Jim (Janet), Mississauga; nephew Chris, niece Jen, and their children; and his former wife, Donna Garton. Bob was born in Toronto to the late Kenneth and Hilda Rye.
Bob spent much of his career working in the manufacturing sector for various factories in the GTA and London. Those years gave him keen insights into manufacturing processes.
After owning 2 companies which provided and serviced cutting blocks for many industrial companies, he bought DDK Security & Shade Products in 2008 which was the culmination of all the knowledge he’d gained throughout his manufacturing career. DDK supplied, installed and serviced custom-made European-style exterior roll shutters and retractable solar/wind screens throughout SW Ontario for residential and commercial properties. He enjoyed building good relationships with his customers, many of whom became good friends.
Bob valued the many good times spent with his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren. Besides making good memories with them, he also tried to instill in them his strong values of honesty, sincerity, integrity, and having a good work ethic. He always tried to be a good person and treat people with respect and kindness, with his philosophy being “your word is your bond.”
Other highlights of his life included taking the Fanshawe cabinet-making courses; spending summers in his younger years with his godparents in upstate NY; spending subsequent summers in Muskoka with family and friends; being an avid fan & 20-year season-ticket holder of the Knights; and the many trips he and Norma took to the US and Europe. Most of all, he highly valued the hundreds of hours he spent as an adult with his father, whose wisdom and guidance helped make Bob the man he became. Bob will be remembered for his honesty, no-nonsense nature, generosity, love of family, and quick sense of humour.
The family would like to thank Dr. Keith MacIntosh; Dr. Daniel Breadner and the staff at the LRCP; Dr. Kathleen Milne and staff at UH Palliative Care; Dr. Mike and the caring staff at Parkwood Hospital Palliative Care; the MAID team; and the many friends who’ve supported us throughout this difficult journey.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, 303 Riverside Drive, LONDON on Saturday, May 25th at 10:30 AM. A celebration of Bob’s life will follow at Vintage Green Clubhouse, 3 Ilderbook Circle, ILDERTON from 1 – 4 PM with words of remembrance at 2 PM. Arrangements entrusted to Cremation & Celebrations, Arva (519-963-4003).
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU); the London Regional Cancer Program; or Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 6 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Grand Bend, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $3/km (one way travel only).
Dear Norma,
We just learned of Bob’s passing and are sending our condolences to you. Although we only got to see Bob about once a year at the annual Christmas party, we always looked forward to hearing about the wonderful trips that you shared together.
We know that you will miss him deeply and cherish your memories of him.
Dan and Linda Caldwell
We send our love.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Our sincere condolences. Bob was a great friend. We will miss him terribly. Bob was a wonderful husband to Norma. And a very loving and supportive parent, stepparent and grandparent. And highly esteemed by all who knew him personally and professionally.
May all the warm memories bring you comfort in the days ahead
We wii miss him
Bob took care of my shutters for 15 years!
Very nice man!
Dear Norma
I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Bob’s passing.
The bond you shared with Bob was so special and will always be with you. May that love bring you comfort and peace. Bob loved you deeply, and you shared a beautiful life together.
My thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this heartbreaking loss. I am sending my love, strength and healing energy.
Remember that Bob will always be with you in your heart and in your memories. Cherish those memories and let them bring you comfort.
Remembering how you supported me when my husband passed, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Dear Norma and the Bob’s family!
So sorry for your loss.
My heart breaks for you.
With love at this sad time, Mirjana Markovic
The team here at Hanford Tire wishes to send our deepest condolences to Norma and her family.Bob was always good for a chuckle or a story when he came in for vehicle repairs.We all loved his no nonsense outlook,straight to the point conversations and his laugh!Bob’s talk of their travel adventures were always so interesting and we always enjoyed hearing of the next one.We will all miss his visits,Godspeed Bob…Mike,Josh and the Hanford team.
Dear Norma and Beloved Family of Bob,
It is with great sadness that I received this letter. Bob and you put up a great fight ,but when God calls us to Him all we can say is” Thank you” for the wonderful years that were shared by you both.
It is too bad I didn’t get to see him when you were in New York. I remember what a bubbly person he was and I am sure he is keeping those in Heaven entertained.
Prayers and Hugs,
Gerda
Liebe Norma,
wie erinnern uns noch gerne an die Zeit, als ihr in Gummersbach ward. Bob nannte den Kreisverkehr, der bei uns in der Naehe ist, lovley Little Circle. Es waren schöne Tage.
U so mehr sind wir traurig, dass Bob gegangen ist. Es ist zwar der Weg, den wir alle gehen müssen, aber für Bob war es noch zu frueh.
Liebe Norma, wir wünschen Dir die Kraft, dass Du die schweren Tage gut überstehst und wieder froh wirst.
Wir sprechen Dir unsere tiefe Anteilnahme aus.
Deine Gisela und Christoph
WORDS…. WORDS of wisdom, WORDS provoking laughter that made you cry, WORDS of interest, WORDS of sharing our lives, WORDS of family, WORDS of love for Norma….and WORDS on a t-shirt. Yet, now its hard to find the right WORDS to describe our brief time with Bob. We met Bob and Norma on our celebratory first European-first ever cruise in the Fall of 2022. It was a cruise for them that had been postponed due to COVID. The other couple in our 6-some were first timers as well. The chances of us all meeting, having the time of our lives together and genuinely connecting was remarkable. Other cruisers said we were “having too much fun” but really they were saying they were jealous. Two short visits to Ilderton since then just cemented the bond that had been made. We will definitely remember the daily t-shirt slogans, the ease at which we became such quick friends, and the love that we witnessed between them. Bob, we won’t see you physically in our NB home as planned but you will always hold a special place in our hearts. Farewell dear friend….
Hello Norma and all of Bob’s family and friends,
Moira and I wish to offer our sincere condolences. Bob was the kind of friend that makes a lasting memories. We will forever hold them in our thoughts.
Ken Graham
Dear Norma,
I will always be grateful for the support you and Bob gave to me and my family upon the death of my wife, Beverly. I hope and pray that you will receive an equal measure of love and gratitude during this difficult time.
Adam Prasuhn and family
Dear Norma, Allison & Families,
I’m so sorry to read the news of Bobs passing. Though I know he has tried to prepare everyone as best he could, it is still a great loss & I’m so sorry for your pain. Bob was a very special person & I greatly enjoyed working with him over the years and especially valued our conversations of late.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful stories with us.
Rest in Peace Bob, and know you truly made an impact on this world.
Dear Norma and family. Sending you my heartfelt condolences as you mourn the passing of Bob. He brought so much happiness to you and your family and will be missed by all. May his memory be eternal,
Dear Norma,
In our recent conversations with Bob, we admired his ability to focus on the people and things that have brought him pleasure and satisfaction over the wonderful moments that our brief lives contain. He showed great courage and an unwillingness to let the present be drained of joy, fear of the future nor regret for the past.
We remain grateful for having known Bob for the relatively short time we had to be in his – and your company. And we extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and all of your families as you mourn.
Hugs,
Adrian & Agnes Fuchs
Allison, I’m so sorry for your loss. Keep your memories close and he’ll never be far from you. XO
Our heartfelt condolences to all of Bob’s family.
Dear Norma, the Rye and Marten Families,
As you already know, Bob will be missed by the entire “Vintage Green Family”. He was such a well-liked and respected person who never gave up. He will not easily be forgotten. Our sincere condolences.
Wilma Van Bussel.
Our deepest condolences to the Rye family.
So sorry for your loss Norma. Although I did not get to know Bob, from the obtiturary and your own account he will be missed and remembered.
Jennifer (TNT)
Dear Norma and all her relatives, we send you our heartfelt condolences. Bob’s death makes us very sad. We know that his family was the most important thing in his life. The encounters with him were always very nice. We will remember him fondly.
Eunice Luis and Murray Paul send condolences to all members of
Bob’s family. May he rest in peace and God give strength to his loved ones.