Robert “Bob” James Lowe was born on June 10, 1943, in Guelph to Peter and Ellen (McAlpine) Lowe. He grew up as the middle child between his older brother Donald and his younger sister Janet. The Lowe family lived on a mixed farm near Rockwood, where life was simple but filled with hard work and family bonds.

Bob started elementary school walking to S.S.#5 Nassagaweya School, a small, rural schoolhouse and later was bused to a school a further distance to finish the eighth grade. From a young age, his heart was drawn to the machine shop on their farm, which his father operated as well as a sawmill. His fascination with machinery was evident from the start. When he was just in Grade 3, Bob would leave school and head straight to the shop, tinkering with tools and learning hands-on skills. His passion for the machine shop led to him needing to repeat Grade 3 because he was often up late at night working on jobs he loved and found interesting such as building a boat with his dad.  This set the foundation for the rest of his life.

Bob never pursued high school. Instead, he began working full-time for his father, learning the ins and outs of machinery and the sawmill business. In 1961, at the persuasion of his father, the Lowe family moved to Concession 12 in Chesley, seeking a change. They built a small machine shop and a sawmill, continuing the family tradition of craftsmanship and hard work. However, just two years after the move, Peter passed away suddenly, leaving Bob to take on the enormous responsibility of running the business, paying off the mortgage, and supporting his entire family.

While visiting friends in Guelph one day, Bob met Doris Florence Byers, who was also visiting a friend. As fate would have it, they discovered they both lived near Chesley and quickly hit it off. Their first date was a trip to Owen Sound to see a movie, and just three months later, they were engaged. Bob and Doris married on January 27, 1968, at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Chesley, celebrating their union with a small gathering of 25 close family and friends.

After their wedding, Bob and Doris settled on the farm, where Bob continued his work. He also took on a maintenance role with the Saugeen Conservation Authority for a few years, all the while building their own house with his own two hands. When their first child, Leslie, was born in 1969, the house was still under construction. The roof wasn’t yet finished, and birds would sometimes fly around inside, making for a memorable start to family life. The only part of the construction of the house that Bob did not have full control of was building the foundation and many years later the entire foundation needed to be completely replaced.

In true Bob fashion, when redoing the foundation Bob had to support the entire house while taking out the foundation under the brick walls and in true Bob fashion he did this while working around the working plumbing and live electricity, never having to turn any of these elements off.

Their family grew with the arrival of three daughters: Kay in 1971, Heather in 1976, and Connie in 1980. Bob worked construction with Nicoll & Radke at Douglas Point, eventually becoming a foreman. When work began to take him further away to Darlington, Bob made the decision to leave in 1983 to be closer to his family. He built his own shop and created Grey Bruce Welding & Machine Shop, working tirelessly to provide for his loved ones. Bob attempted retirement multiple times but could never quite let go of the work he loved. He finally stopped full-time three years ago but continued doing odd jobs for friends until just a week before he passed. His shop remained his sanctuary, where he would always be found tinkering and creating, his hands never idle.

Together with Doris and their children, Bob filled their lives with adventures and memories. For many years they made maple syrup, went tobogganing,  and did some snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Despite having three daughters, Bob made sure that not just his son Leslie knew his way around the farm and shop. At a young age, all four children were driving tractors, baling hay, and even racing around in field cars. Camping was a favourite family activity. Bob transformed an old school bus into a camper, complete with a fridge, stove, propane, and sink. They travelled everywhere in it, even towing their boat along for fishing trips. Later, he and Doris would tour Canada with a slide-in camper mounted on his Dodge truck, exploring the country one campground at a time.

One of Bob’s greatest passions was his steam engine. He loved attending steam shows and even founded one of his own on their property in 1995, which grew into the Saugeen Valley Antique Power Association. People came from far and wide to see the antique machinery, thrashing machines, and old cars on display. In 1999, the event grew so large that Cedar Rail Campground in Scone took over its operations.

Bob also loved the outdoors. He fished with his two boats, camped along the Trent Severn, and hunted moose each year. He found simple joy in watching birds from his window, always keeping their feeders full. Every summer, Bob would host a corn roast, steaming the corn with his beloved steam engine and serving it with his special jar of melted butter. Music filled his life as well. He was particularly fond of Charley Pride, with “Crystal Chandeliers” always getting him up on the dance floor—and only with Doris. Bob also enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. When it came to television, he liked watching the news, weather reports, National Geographic, and Wheel of Fortune.

Bob was a modest man who shied away from praise, yet his hands were capable of remarkable things. He was creative, hardworking, and always quick with a joke or his own version of a dad joke. His patience could wear thin if someone couldn’t figure out what seemed obvious to him, but his sense of humour and good nature always shone through.

Most of all, Bob was proud of his children, his grandchildren, and his great-granddaughter. His grandchildren spent much of their weekends and holidays with Bob and Doris. He would take them fishing, riding ATVs, working on the steam engine, and collecting sap for maple syrup. Family meant everything to Bob, and he poured his heart into every moment he spent with them. Bob and Doris were inseparable. Even when Doris was away, Bob would call her frequently. Their reunions were always joyous, a testament to the deep bond they shared throughout their lives.

Bob’s life was one of dedication, craftsmanship, and love for family. His legacy lives on in the hands-on skills he passed down, the memories he created, and the love he gave so freely. Bob passed away at Listowel Memorial Hospital, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in his 82nd year.

Beloved husband of Doris (Byers) for 57 years.  Loving father of Leslie (Cynthia) Lowe of Edmonton, Kay Lowe (Ken Wilson) of Scone, Heather Younghusband of Owen Sound, and Connie (Chris) Zekany of London. Cherished grandfather of Emily Amyotte, Julia (Todd) McCauley, Martina Williamson, Camden Younghusband, Graydon Younghusband, Anthony Zekany and Adele Zekany, and proud great-grandfather of June McCauley. Brother of Janet Laird of Chesley and uncle of Steven Byers and Darrin Byers. Bob was predeceased by his brother Donald Lowe and his parents Peter and Ellen (McAlpine) Lowe.

Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 7 -9 p.m. A memorial service honouring Bob’s life will be held at the Klages Mill (11 1st Ave. N., Chesley) on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. Private inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Victoria Hospital, London (cheques payable to Dr. Sanjay Mehta), or to the Salvation Army would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.