Robert Zahara Obituary in Grande Prairie at Oliver's Funeral Home & Crematorium

Obituaries

Robert Zahara

September 27, 1949 - June 14, 2020

Obituary For Robert Zahara

Robert William Zahara, or “Bob” as he was known to everyone, resident of Grande Prairie, formerly of Sexsmith, AB, passed away on June 14, 2020, in Edmonton, AB, at the age of 70 years old after a brief battle with leukemia and complications arising therefrom.

Bob was born in Spirit River, AB, on September 27, 1949. Bob was raised on the family farm just outside of Rycroft, AB. As the oldest child, Bob always liked to tell everyone how hard he worked until his sister Marge came along to help with all the chores, and then eventually he got more reinforcements from his sister Peggy, and brothers Jim and Danny.

He attended Grade 1 through high school in Rycroft, where he skipped Grade 8 due to his high academic achievement. As a result of having a bit too much fun in his senior year of high school, he then did a year of upgrading and college at Fairview Regional College. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Science, and minoring in History at the University of Alberta (UofA) in 1970. Not finished at the UofA, he also completed his Bachelor of Education there in 1971.

It was during his studies at the UofA that he met his future wife, and love of his life, Sandra “Sandi” Dawne Zahara (nee Newton). Sandi won’t admit it, but we believe she started dating Bob because he agreed to type up all of her papers for her University courses. Somehow Bob convinced Sandi to not only marry him but that it would be a good idea to move back up north to begin their teaching careers. From that first year on, they taught together their entire careers. Bob did yeoman’s work as a first-year teacher in Caslan, AB, which was his one and only year as a full-time classroom teacher. The next year he applied for (as the only applicant) and accepted the offer to act as principal of the school in Caslan. After that promotion by acclamation, he was in management and never looked back. He next took a position as principal in La Glace, AB, (Kindergarten to Grade 9) for three years.

When the elementary school (Kindergarten to Grade 6) opened in Sexsmith in 1979, Bob was selected to be its first principal. Except for short stints at the County head office, he remained the principal at the Sexsmith Elementary School until his retirement in 2006. During this period, he went on to teach thousands of students that passed through the doors there, and is remembered fondly and loved by many of them. The day of his retirement the Sexsmith Elementary School was renamed the Robert W. Zahara Elementary School and retains that name to this day. After his retirement, he acted as part-time principal for a number of Hutterite colonies in and around the Rycroft, Spirit River, and Wanham areas. He loved this part-time principal position and his interactions with all the Hutterite communities in the mostly rural area.

Bob loved sports and was an avid hockey player and golfer. He played hockey and baseball growing up in Rycroft, and always regaled us with stories of having to tape the Sears catalogue to his shins for shin pads for pond hockey (for the younger kids reading this, a “catalogue” is a website that a store would print off and mail to you through the post office so you could pick something out of it to order, kind of like the slowest Amazon order ever). Bob also took up football in his university days and played junior football for the Edmonton Wildcats in 1969 and 1970. He was a defensive and offensive lineman and was a conference all-star as a defensive lineman the one year he played a full season in 1970.

This love of sports was inherited and passed on to each of his children. Ryan (football), Blair (football), and Amanda (softball), were all university-level athletes, and this was due in no small part to the hours of coaching, mentoring, and one-on-one tutelage that Bob provided to them as they were growing up. He coached so many hockey, football, baseball, and ringette teams for so many kids, and gave his time for the love of sport. He was so serious about this role that he had to go out and buy his own back-catcher’s mask so he could keep catching pitches for Amanda after he took a few of those pitches on the chin.

He and Sandi also travelled extensively to watch all of their children compete in sports, whether driving to minor hockey tournaments with a van-load of kids, driving down to Edmonton to watch Blair and Ryan play football, Blair for the University of Alberta and Ryan for the Edmonton Wildcats and eventually the University of Manitoba. He also went all the way down to Oklahoma to watch Amanda play college softball. There were many hours spent by Bob and Sandi on the road between Sexsmith and Edmonton, all so they could watch their children compete. This love of watching his children play sports extended to watching his grandsons Devon, Daymond and Sawyer play hockey, whether in Edmonton or in the Grande Prairie area.

Bob continued to avidly golf into his later years and had two hole-in-ones to his credit. He loved getting out with his golf buddies as often as possible after his retirement, including Randy, Jim and Rodney. He got a new hip in March of 2019 and was looking forwards to putting many more rounds on it before he had to hang up his clubs.

Bob gave his time to many, many things in his life, including many civic initiatives in the Town of Sexsmith. He was a town Councillor from 1983-1986 and 1990-1991 and was the Mayor of Sexsmith from 1992-1997. He also sat on many boards in Sexsmith for several years.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 49 years Sandi; his children: Ryan (Cheryl) Zahara, Blair (Leann) Zahara, and Amanda (Mike) Howrish; his grandchildren from Blair: Devon and Daymond Zahara; grandchildren from Amanda: Sawyer and Walker Howrish; and his grandson from Ryan, Xavier Zahara; siblings: Marge (Mike) Collins, Peggy (Doug) Hollingworth, Jim (Julie) Zahara, Danny (Denise) Zahara, and all of their children; as well as his brother in-law Lance (Lois) Newton, and their children.

He was predeceased by his parents William George and Della Margaret Zahara (nee Craig).

Due to COVID-19, we, the family are holding a private Funeral Service for Bob on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at 2:00pm for immediate family only. The service will be live-streamed by Oliver’s Funeral Home on Facebook and a link will be posted about 15 minutes before the service on the obituary page for people to click through and watch.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation (710 - 10123 99St., Edmonton, AB, T5J 3H1, https://www.albertacancer.ca/donate/).

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Condolences

June 24, 2021

Harding Terri

Almost 10 years ago I was given a special chance, with Bob's support, to keep my job and finish my degree at the same time. I will always be thankful for the kindness and respect I was shown by Bob. In talks with him he was able to assure me and lift me up in moments when I felt defeated. Through his faith in my ability I was able to see myself as a teacher when I had been ready to let my dreams go. I wish everyone I know could have known him. He was a very special human. I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad time.
June 24, 2021

Deley Bob & Barb

We are so sorry for your loss and are thinking of all of you. Keep your happy memories close!
June 24, 2021

Basisty Cooper Irene

Deepest sympathy from Irene and Ryan. Bob was my landlord, neighbor and Mayor during my term at the Town of Sexsmith. He provided leadership and important tools for me to go forward with my career. As my landlord and neighbor he provided us with many hours of smiles. Ryan, Blaire and Amanda, you heard the loud voice of your father many times, and so did we. I smile at this memory. I had the opportunity to try and out yell your dad. My Ryan rushed to the kitchen window to close it. When I asked what he was doing, he said " I don't want Mr. Zahara to hear you" Perhaps yelling was a Rycroft thing. We witnessed the love that your dad showed. Amanda, we heard the sting of the ball in that glove as you practiced with your dad in the backyard. I am so sorry for your loss, a wonderful man that left such a positive impression and did such good to all he knew.
June 24, 2021

Mendis Nelan

Please accept our heartfelt condolences. I don't think one can have a better neighbour who will help in every possible way, soft spoken, honest, full of energy and always active. I miss him so much and will take quite a while to fill that vacuum of his loss and that he's really not there as I have been constantly calling him from Calgary. I still don't believe he's deceased. I'm so sad......I simply cannot concentrate. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you'll have the strength and courage in this time of sorrow. Calista, Nimna and Nelan
June 24, 2021

Petteplace Sheila

Thinking of you and Iâ??m so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. I loved working with you and with Bob as principal. He always had my back. As I help my daughter graduate this year, I think back to when Bob helped me find a day home so he could hire me for the first AISI project at school. Praying strength for you and your kids and grandkids.
June 24, 2021

(Macleod) Small Cloe

We are sending our condolences to all of Mr. Zaharaâ??s family. I worked at the elementary school once a week while the girls attended and there was always time for a nice little visit with the principal! I always appreciated his love of sports while I was coaching the grade 5and 6 softball. Great man.
June 24, 2021

Gaunt Carolyn (Carrie)

Sandi and family Sincere sympathies for your loss. It is just unbelievable! Bob was a great guy and we have so many memories with kids growing up, of hockey games and travels, of our neighbourhood, of Town Council association and community involvement. He will leave a huge impact on our community. The only thing we can think of is there must be a hockey team in heaven needing a great coach. Sincerely Bryan, Carrie, Blake, Dillan and families.
June 24, 2021

Hanson Jeff

My utmost condolences to Bobâ??s family. Starting my career next door at Sexsmith Secondary, getting to know the staff at the Elementary School was a given, especially since I taught grade seven and welcomed the outgoing grade sixes. Bob, obviously, was always welcoming for me to come over. We chatted football, hockey and ball. Even watched Amanda pitching to him one day, thinking, â??Sheâ??s going to break his hand,â?? I always enjoyed chatting with Bob and thought it was so fitting for the school to be named for him upon his retirement. Iâ??m sure a million fond memories are going through many minds during this time. I hope the thoughts and reminiscing of those memories soon ease the pain and suffering you are felling at this time of loss. All the best to the Zahara family from the Hanson family Jeff, Patti, Billy, Hailey, and Malone.
June 24, 2021

Klunder LLoyd

My deepest condolences for your loss. Mr. Zahara was a larger than life man. When I think back to my elementary and junior high days, both Mr and Mrs Zahara dominate the memories. I was not even close to being a good student, and it may not have shown, but both Mr and Mrs Zahara made a tremendous impact on me. Never forgotten!!!
June 24, 2021

Robertson Darren

When I was in my first year of College at GPRC I came back to SSS to coach Football, Ryan was still playing at the time. Bob recognized in me that I would make a good teacher and subtly encouraged me to go in that direction. 3 years later he provided me with a job reference and the Deputy Superintendent at the time informed me that if Bob provided me a reference that was all he needed to know about me because Bob wouldn't put his name out there if he didn't believe in you. When Bob started working out of Central Office I would often go visit him when I was there for meetings as we liked to catch up on how everyone was doing. He will be missed,
June 24, 2021

Wipf James

On behalf of Codesa colony school and Codesa Colony. Bob will be missed. As we are grateful to have had the chance to know Bob. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family. Bob was a well respected person we often talk about. Kind hearted he always made the children look up to his coming and visits. With great love. James wipf
June 24, 2021

Garnett Cheryl

Amanda and family, so sorry for your loss. Wish I could be there to wrap you in my arms. Give my condolences to your Mom and family.
June 24, 2021

Heinrichs Harvey

Sandi so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. Eric Jaschke sent me an email with the obituary today. I was following Bobs career through updates from Eric. I have very fond memories of both you and Bob. You two raised quite an active family and were very involved in all their activities. It does not surprise me at all to read all the things Bob was involved with - a life well lived. Hope we can reconnect one day when I am back visiting in Alberta. Love Harvey
June 24, 2021

Walker Anna

I am deeply moved at how fittingly Bob was honoured today at his memorial. It was my privilege to work with him for many years and the experience has given me a great respect and gratitude for his unwavering support. My sincere condolences to you, Sandi. Ryan, Blair, and Amanda - You and your children have been blessed with a great heritage. I wish you all well. Anna Walker
June 24, 2021

van Rootselaar Ron

My most sincere condolences and prayers to Bob's family and friends. When Bob was working at the county office in 1985 he provided my first contract for a temporary position at then Sexsmith Elementary following graduation. I am eternally grateful and my telephone conversation/non-interview with Bob is one of my fondest professional memories. As a result of that phone call in January of 1985 I knew I had a job upcoming in May. I didn't study very hard those last few months and all the credit goes to Bob LOL. I met many wonderful people at that school and the memories and lessons I learned can all be traced back to Bob's trust in me. Rest in Peace Bob. Forever grateful. -- Ron

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To view the livestream of Sandra Van Schaick (Saturday at 11:00 am) or Glenn Kochendorfer (Monday at 2:00 pm) visit https://www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/

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