Robert (Bob) Gueldner, former resident of Weyburn, passed away at his home in San Diego, CA, January 25, 2017 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 85 years old. Bob was born May 3, 1931 and educated at Little Rock School and the Weyburn Collegiate. After high school Bob attended the University of Saskatoon and studied business administration. In 1951, Bob joined his two brothers Henry and Herbert to operate Weyburn Hardware & Furniture, on Third Street. Bob met Betty Hope in 1951. Betty was a psychiatric nurse at Souris Valley Hospital. They were engaged during Christmas 1952 and married in Weyburn, July 1, 1953 at Zion Lutheran Church. They raised four children here before moving to San Diego in 1977 and starting a security business. Bob always enjoyed working, and never really retired. Ever. Bob and Betty were happily married for over 63 years. While living in Canada, they enjoyed summer vacations at White Bear Lake, golf, concerts and traveling. Bob was active in his church, Toastmasters and the Junior and Senior High Music Association. Some of his favorite hobbies included astronomy (even building his own telescope!), rock hunting and lapidary, archeology, fishing and hunting. In San Diego, Bob and Betty took many trips exploring the countryside, spending time with family and friends. They ventured out of the country, visiting both of their homelands, Germany and Norway as well as many other countries. They never lost their spirit of adventure. Their last big trip was to Costa Rica in 2014, exploring and traveling cross-country in a van with some of their kids. Bob was predeceased by his parents Emanuel and Emma, his brothers Henry (Kay) and Herbert and sisters Irma McGugan (Norman) and Laura Flaaten (Harold) and also his son-in-law Stephen Christensen. He is survived by his brother Albert and his wife Dorothy, sister-in-law Ella Gueldner, his wife Betty and their four children; Donna Christensen, and her two children Michael Christensen and wife Stephanie, their children Ashley, Jaeden and Ethan; Hope Thiessen, nee Christensen and husband Kristopher and their son Oliver, Kenneth and his wife Michelle, Douglas and his wife Susan, daughter Brenda Peters and husband Lee, their son Ryan, partner Brittany Prater and their daughter Hartley. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. Bob had a deep love for his family, and the bond shared by all was very important to him. Memorial service was held at Saint Andrews Lutheran Church in San Diego, CA, February 4. May God bless his memory among us. He will be missed dearly.
