Robert Ross McKibbin

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Robert Ross McKibbin (Bob) passed away at the age of 88, after a brief critical illness. Bob is survived by his four children, Doug (Ron Giesbrecht) of Vancouver, BC, Don (Deb) of Brandon, MB, Laura Murray of London, ON, and Heather Smart (Ian) of Winnipeg, MB, as well as his six grandchildren, Dylan Murray, Brett and Brendan McKibbin, Kelsey, Duncan and Lindsay Smart, and his dear great-granddaughter Daisy Murray. He also leaves behind his brother Don (Libby) of Toronto, ON, their children and families and many extended family members and close family friends. Bob was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Lynne, his son-in-law Dennis Murray, his parents Bob and Beta McKibbin and his sister Carolyn. Bob grew up in River Heights, where he attended Grosvenor School and graduated from Kelvin High School. In his youth, he was an active participant in community basketball, where he formed lifelong friendships with a group of boys who later became the Rainbows-- a singing group long famous to their families but with only a very short-lived public career. Bob attended the University of Manitoba where he joined the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (1962). The fraternity was another formative group of friends with whom he had strong ties, celebrating many Grey Cups together over the years and more recently, sharing monthly lunches right up to just weeks before his passing. Bob spent the entirety of his career working for the Manitoba Department of Highways as a PEng. Taking his professional duties very seriously, Bob was a member and served as a volunteer on many committees at the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (now EGM) for over 50 years, earning the distinction of FEC, a Fellow of Engineers Canada, and an honourary Life Membership with the organization. He also always played an active role in his community including volunteer roles in organizations such as Kinsman, St. Andrews Society, Carman Curling and Golf Club, United Churches in both Carman and Portage la Prairie, and Southport Aerospace Centre, and proudly serving as Chair of the School Board for Midland School Division for many years. After he was widowed, Bob started a new chapter in his life and returned to his roots in Winnipeg moving into an independent living residence where he met new people and developed new close friendships. Throughout his life Bob was a very social person and senior living was another opportunity to share his sense of humour, Donald Duck impressions, and easy going nature; again, keen to contribute to his new community, he participated regularly in the Friday evening entertainment. It was there he met Violet Motheral with whom he shared 8 years of companionship and was able to enjoy new travel destinations like Iceland and the Panama canal. While very active in his professional career and community volunteer roles, Bob’s greatest pride in life was his family. He was a truly devoted husband to Lynne until her passing, and was extremely proud of his four children and their accomplishments, always very quick to share who was a doctor, who was a professor, and who was an engineer. Bob will be missed by all whose life he touched over the years. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Bob’s caregivers for their compassion and assistance in his final days. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on December 30, 2025 at 11:00am at the Pinnacle Club, 315 Chancellor Matheson Road, Winnipeg, with lunch to follow. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed by registering at the link below. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Cancer Care Manitoba, Alzheimer’s Society, your local United Way, or a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021.