Rob Warman, CD died of cancer on Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at Hospice Simcoe in Barrie at the age of 91. He lived a life dedicated to his family and service to the community.
Originally from Fredericton, NB, Rob joined the RCMP in 1951 out of Fredericton High School and was promptly posted to Newfoundland. He fondly shared stories of chasing the rum-runners ferrying ‘duty-free’ from St-Pierre and Miquelon. Always up for an adventure, in 1954 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Service Police (later the MPs) beginning an association with the RCAF that would last over 60 years. For the next 20 years, Rob had the privilege of serving at seven different Canadian Forces Bases across Canada as well as spending seven years deployed as part of Canada’s commitment to NATO in France and Germany. His last posting was to CF Base Borden with the Military Police school and he retired from the Canadian Forces in 1974 as a Master Warrant Officer. Never one to slow down, Rob promptly began a new career joining the Law and Security Program at Georgian College in Barrie where he worked as a professor and administrator for 20 years devoted to preparing students to become officers in policing, corrections, customs, and security. In addition to his professional careers, Rob threw himself into contributing to the development of Barrie serving as a member of Barrie City Council for 21 years, and volunteering with Scouts Canada, the Chamber of Commerce, Victoria Village, MacLaren Art Centre, the Huronia Rotary Club, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion and other Veterans groups. Coming back to his Air Force roots, Rob was appointed Honorary Colonel of 16 Wing at Base Borden from 2006 to 2010 where he did his best to advance 16 Wing's interests using his combined military and civvy street knowledge and experience. Sports were a consistent passion throughout Rob’s life including a high school letter in basketball, tennis, and later golf. That said, it was the decades of curling that led to more trophies than the basement could reasonably hold. When informed of the birth of his first grandchild, he said that he’d be there as soon as the bonspiel was done, which incidentally, he and his team ended up winning. Rob is pre-deceased by six siblings and survived by his sister Wanda, wife Alice, children who haven’t turned out half-bad, and five grandchildren. Given the current public health needs, there will be no funeral and a family interment ceremony will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations to Hospice Simcoe would be appreciated (hospicesimcoe.ca/ways-to-donate/) given their tremendous work.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Cremation entrusted to Marshall W. Driver Cremation & Burial Service, 19 Ross St., Barrie, ON.