Robert Kneteman

On June 23, 2026, Robert (Bob) Kneteman, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away at age 95, just 9 days short of his 96th birthday.

Bob was born in Edson, Alberta on July 2nd, 1930, to August (Gus) and Mathilde Kneteman. Bob was the youngest of 5 children. His oldest 3 siblings, Helmuth (Gus), Emma and George, were born in Germany before the family emigrated to Canada in 1928. Another sister was born when the family first settled in McLeod Valley but died in her first winter. Times were hard.

Bob’s early years were filled with squirrel, rabbit and grouse hunting and trout and grayling fishing, usually with his brother George. They would often ride their bikes from Town, wade the McLeod River and hike overland to Moose Creek or Schwartz Creek for a day of fishing.

At age 18, while Bob was working in the garden at the Kneteman Block, Lloyd Mahon, the then owner of Edson Motors, dropped by and offered Bob a job in the Parts Department, a job Bob gratefully accepted and worked at for the next 34 years. He loved the interaction with the customers and other employees, many of whom were lifelong friends.

Bob was given his first vehicle, a 1932 Buick, by his father. This enabled Bob to frequent country dances, which he loved. He met Ramona (Mona) Kiehlbauch, then of Carrot Creek, and the two were married on May 23, 1951. They built a house on the Kneteman Block where they raised 3 sons, Robert (Murray), Ross and Norman. Bob and the boys spent many wonderful days hunting and fishing in the Edson area and had many marvellous meals of Mona-prepared garden vegetables and wild game.

In 1960 Bob won £100 ($350) in an Irish Sweepstakes, and with his winnings he bought Bear Lake lot 17. He always said it was the best investment he and Mona ever made. Bob and Mona and boys spent most every weekend and summer holidays at the Bear Lake cabin in the company of their wonderful lake friends and relatives. Bear Lake continues to be a gathering place for Murray, Ross and Norman’s families.

The Edson River property was the next grand move in Bob and Mona’s lives. In 1978 Bob and Murray bought a quarter of land on the Edson River, subdivided it in half and built their homes. They were both very industrious, including logging the spruce and pine from Bob’s 1/2 mile road access for lumber for their houses and outbuildings. Bob was an avid gardener, beekeeper and wine maker at Edson River. He supplied his family and many friends and coworkers with vegetables and honey, and many of their parties with his chokecherry, apple, crabapple, raspberry and gooseberry wines.

In 1982 Bob was offered the first full-time, paid fire chief position in Edson after many years as a voluntary fireman and chief. With some misgivings about leaving Edson Motors after 34 years, Bob accepted the position and enjoyed this new role, particularly his new friendships with the then Town Manager, Town Engineers and Town employees. Bob was very industrious and always said he loved to work, but nothing gave him more joy than parties and get-togethers with friends, family and coworkers.

After retirement in 1997 Bob and Mona continued their “work” at and around their Edson River farm, gardening, beekeeping, berry picking, logging poplar for their wood burning furnace and pine for their stoves, and making wonderful meals for family and friends. They were extremely proud to have grown, caught, hunted, preserved and prepared all the ingredients, except dairy and spices, for Christmas, birthday and other special dinners.

Bob and Mona continued travelling, which was Mona’s passion, and visited many countries on all the continents except Antarctica. On their travels they met many new friends whom they remained in contact with for years afterwards.

In 2021 Bob and Mona moved from the farm to Parkland Lodge in Edson, then in 2023 to MacTaggart Place in Edmonton and then in 2024 to Laurier House Lynnwood in Edmonton, where Mona continues to live.

Bob is survived by Mona, his wife of 75 years, sons Murray (Jackie), Ross (Denise) and Norman (Valerie), 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson’s Canada or Canadian Cancer Society or similar societies of your choice.

A special thanks to the staff at Laurier House and the medical staff at the Misericordia Hospital who supported Bob in his final days.

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