Latimer, Robert Stansfield “Bob” – age 92, of Truro passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021 of natural causes.
Bob was predeceased by his mother, Anita; his father, H.H.; his wife, Sadie; and his brother, Hugh. Bob is survived by children, Rob (Sonya), Nancy (Mike), John (Vikki); brother, Dave (Elizabeth); sister, Karen; and grandchildren, Caitlin, Robert (Kat), Brendan (Sarah), Elizabeth (Matt), Mackenzie and Michael (Alyssa).
In Bob’s own words; “I can say, first and foremost, that all through my life God has blessed me with so many wonderful experiences and opportunities to serve the Christian Church and its people, as well as many unforgettable communities and organizations, from whom I learned invaluable life lessons.
Bob was born in July 1928 to H.H. and Anita Latimer in Sydney. After graduating from New Glasgow High School in 1946, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (1951) and a Bachelor of Education (1952) at Mount Allison University. It was during his final year at Mt A that he met his future wife, Sadie Charleen Latimer (Snow). After leaving Mt. A he earned a Master in Divinity (1954) at Pine Hill Divinity College.
In 1955, Sadie and Bob married, going on to have three children, Robert V, Nancy and John. In Bob’s own words; “I can say that God has blessed me with the most wonderful wife any man could ever have - my dearest Sadie, whom I love with all my heart. I can also say that I was very fortunate to have, supporting me over the years, my family - my parents and in-laws, my siblings and their families, and especially my children and grand-children, of whom Sadie and I are very proud.”
After graduation, he entered the United Church Ministry with his first assignment as minister of the River Denys-Orangedale Pastoral Charge in July 1954. Bob enjoyed postings of increasing responsibility within the United Church starting with Assistant Minister of Trinity United Church, Charlottetown, PEI in 1958, Christian Education Field Secretary for Maritime Conference in Sackville NB in 1962, and Principal of Atlantic Christian Training Center (ACTC), Tatamagouche, in 1967. In 1971 he left active ministry within the United Church to start the Association for Human Relations Education (AHRE) and the National Training Institute (NTI) in Truro, providing adult leadership training and development programs. These enterprises were relocated to Fredericton, NB in 1975. In 1986 he started Latimer Consulting Systems in Fredericton, continuing his work in leadership training and which he operated until his retirement in 2000.
Throughout his years in Truro and Fredericton, he continued to maintain his involvement with the United Church preaching at anniversary and other special services at churches throughout the Maritime Provinces, serving as Interim Minister at Nashwaaksis United Church, from 1983-1984 and again in 1988. He also held various roles within United Church Maritime Conference including President from 1995-1996.
Bob was active in Boys Parliament, Scouts and various Christian youth camps during the 1950s and 1960s. Personal interests included: tree cultivation, genealogy, music including a lifelong love of Hollywood Musicals and singing in various Gilbert & Sullivan productions.
Bob loved to research and write. His works included: two family histories, documenting family reunions, a volume of stories written for his children and grandchildren, several United Church congregational and community histories of Orangedale, Malagawatch, Marble Mtn, River Denys and Truro, a history of shipbuilding in Tatamagouche and other histories of Nova Scotian events and people, a book on his father, HH Latimer, a reflection on his own life and many other works.
One of Bob’s greatest passions was vacationing with wife, Sadie and children at their cottage in Kempt Head. Bob & Sadie attended at Kempt Head most years from 1955 to 2016. Bob and Sadie also enjoyed travel, taking extended camping trips with the family throughout Canada and the USA. Bob and Sadie visited Bermuda, Bahamas, Barbados and Greece. Bob also traveled through Europe with brother, Hugh and Ireland with son, Rob. Bob was grateful for the many travel opportunities he had during his life to explore parts of the world and its people. Bob believed the earth was a beautiful place and, despite the evil that challenges all people daily, he believed that God’s handiwork, meaning and purpose for the world, would ultimately prevail.
Bob was an active member of St Andrews UC church in Truro for the past 20 years. He was so grateful for the wonderful pastoral care that was provided to Sadie and himself over the past few years. Bob resided at Parklands Truro for the last several years. He truly appreciated the quality of care received by Sadie and himself.
Bob’s belief was that in the final analysis, it is not the great world events that fill the media daily, but the little everyday acts of kindness and love, one to another, that matter most, and that give life its real and ultimate meaning.
Funeral service details TBA. A burial will be held at Drummond Memorial Church in Ross Ferry, NS when circumstances permit.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
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