Robert David Sivewright Ward

 Robert D. S. Ward

On April 18, 2019, Robert David Sivewright Ward, at age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones in the Wetaskiwin Hospital.  Robert was predeceased by parents Richard and Lottie May Ward (nee Gidman) of Markham, Ontario. He is survived by his loving children Warren, Kimberly, Robert Jr. (and his daughter Kathleen Ward), and by the mother of his children, Cecille. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family and many close friends.

Born in Agincourt Ontario, Robert (Bob) joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1949 and retired in 1971 as the N.C.O in charge of the Yellowknife detachment. Most of his service was at remote detachments in northern Canada, where communications and transportation were in their infancy during the early years of his northern service.

His duties required extensive travel, leading Bob to learn and depend on the canoe, diesel patrol boat, and dog-team to travel tundra and forest. Later he became a licensed private pilot and flew his own aircraft for many years.

In Eskimo Point (now Arviat) most patrol time was spent checking on the condition of the Inuit nomads that occupied the land. In Fort Simpson, different types of people were dealt with, from hunters and trappers to oil field workers. A posting to Watson Lake, Yukon, brought an international aspect into police work as many tourists and visiting Americans used the Alaska Highway.

Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, had many V.I.P. visitors including British royalty and the Canadian Prime Minister P. E. Trudeau, which made providing security one of the leading factors in a police officer’s life.
After retiring from the police force, Bob entered the business world as owner of Territorial Beverages Ltd., a soft drink distributor, and as partner in V.I.P. Mens’ Wear. He also served as Yellowknife’s Coroner, sat on the NWT Highway Transport Board, Liquor Control Board, and the International Northwest Aviation council.

He moved from the NWT in 1977 to build a home and farm near Breton, Alberta. In the following years he consulted in the energy industry, and served on the Alberta Surface Rights Board, the Alberta Public Utilities Board, and for a time as Chairman of the Board of Alberta Terminals.

After Bob’s retirement in 1992 he settled in the Wetaskiwin area of Alberta. He was an avid golfer late in his life, always a lover of animals particularly dogs and horses, a fan of fine Scotch Whiskey, and an enthusiastic traveller. He will be remembered for his recounting of colourful stories, and he is the proud author of two books based on the stories of his years serving in Canada’s north.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 246 in Mulhurst, Alberta (49 Street) on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. On behalf of the family, donations can be made to the “Kidney Foundation of Canada”, or to the “Royal Canadian Legion Br. 246" in Mulhurst, Alberta.

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