Robert “Bob” Henry Zarn

Obituary

On the afternoon of June 22, 2026 at St. Boniface hospital surrounded by his family, Bob passed away after suffering congestive heart failure and a ruptured valve. He is survived by his children James, Jeff (wife Alison), David (wife Jaime), Angela (husband Dean); grandchildren Brayden, Dylan, Dana, Taya, Tanner, Brinley; brother Ron and sister Lynda (husband Jim). He was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Carol in 2020.

Bob was born in Virden, MB and grew up on a farm near Ewart, MB. He received a Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1967 and married Carol Anne Williams later that year. They settled on a farm just north of Sinclair, MB where they raised 4 children and purebred Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle until 1989 when an extended drought caused them to relocate the entire operation to greener pastures in Piney, MB. Bob was still raising cattle at the age of 79 before he passed away. He was insistent that he wouldn’t leave the farm and took great pride in the high-quality beef he produced and sold to local families. He would beam with pride when his customers would tell him it’s the best meat they’ve ever tasted!

Bob was an avid sportsman who played baseball for many years with the Virden Oilers in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League. He continued to play into his early 40’s with teams in Reston and Tilston and was on the same team as his two eldest sons for a couple of years before hanging up his cleats. He was also a competitive curler who skipped a rink in the 1970 and 1971 Provincial Brier bonspiels. He taught his family to curl and continued to curl into his 70s and skipped for many years in the local Piney bonspiels, often playing with his wife and kids. Bob played hockey in Reston for many years and coached the minor league hockey and baseball teams that his sons & daughter played on. In his 40’s he took up golf and loved to play as much as he could, even traveling to Thailand on a golf trip with his son James just a few years ago. He enjoyed bowling and was an avid card player who loved playing in cribbage tournaments with his wife and then other partners after she passed. He attended many of the 55+ games and even went on to participate further in the golfing events held at some of those events across Canada. He enjoyed fishing and would head to Buffalo Point in the summer months to go fishing with his daughter, son-in-law & grandson whenever the weather was right. One of his passions was watching his grandchildren play in any sporting event they were involved in and was there to cheer them on whenever he could. He was a very PROUD grandfather!

Bob was very community-minded and volunteered his time to help out where he could. He coached minor league sports teams, was a school trustee for a few years, and was an active member of the Piney Community Centre, acting as community President for many years. Even after he stepped down as community president, he continued to lend a hand whenever one was needed and played a big role in organizing floor curling at the Piney Community Centre when Vassar could no longer organize it. Bob was an easy going, laid back, light-hearted man who wasn’t afraid to talk to anyone. He seemed to make friends wherever he went and always found a common interest to talk & laugh about with someone. He left this world too soon for those who loved him but is now reunited with the love of his life so we know he is at peace and happy once again.

We will forever miss and love you dad!

The memorial service will be held at a future date at the Piney Community Centre, MB-89, Piney, MB.

Burial services will be held at a later date in Reston, Manitoba where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Carol.