It is with great sadness that Bob’s family informs you of his death on August 22, 2024. Although 90 years old, Bob had his eyes on his future, with travels booked and seasons tickets in hand for the symphony. He didn’t expect this, and neither did we. He seemed invincible. He certainly never seemed 90.
Bob was a committed educator for over 30 years, believing in the importance of a strong foundation of learning for children. He was a lover of the arts, fascinated by the talent underlying art, music, and literature. He was an avid traveler and tennis player; he was a man of impeccable style. He was a community builder, serving on the senate of the University of Saskatchewan and as Chairman of the Saskatoon Public Library Board, the Saskatoon Symphony, and countless other boards. He was a cherished friend, always curious to learn about other people, admiring of their abilities and character. He saw beyond flaws.
Most of all, Bob was proud of his family – his beloved wife Eleanor of 30 years with whom he had a profound partnership. His daughter Nancy Dilts and her husband Dave Marks and their children Lauren McMahon, Hunter McMahon and Kelsey Marks; his daughter Barbara Houston; his stepson Terry Miller, his wife Almeda and their daughter Sharmila; and his stepdaughter Patti Miller and her son Willis Fitchett. Family was Bob’s core. He respected and loved his parents Fred and Faye Dilts and cherished us all.
As you grieve the death of your friend, mentor, colleague, and neighbor, please share your thoughts and memories with us. Bob celebrated his 90th birthday in January surrounded by his family. That is how he wishes us to remember him. Vibrant, funny, curious, interested, and interesting.
As Bob would wish, there will be no service.
Condolences may be shared with the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Kelvin & Mary Lynn Honsinger
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Trevor McIntyre Just last week, Meredith sent me a stack of pictures which included Bob and the family on camping trips, and pictures of Bob with my father and mother. We loved our summers camping with the Dilts and Bob was always in the thick of things. What a great man, whom we will never forget. His smile and wit, his style and love of life will be missed.
Trevor McIntyre and Family, Toronto
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Meredith McGeough I am sending my sincere condolences to Barb and Nancy and Family.
Our family enjoyed many a family picnic and camping trip with the Dilts, especially back in the 1960’s, 1970’s. Bob’s sense of humour, sense of style, enthusiasm for life, and leadership were admired by all.
I am very grateful to our family friend, Bob Dilts.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dilts Family at this sad time.
Meredith (McIntyre) McGeough
Kamloops, BC.
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Colin Mclellan My condolences to all the family and friends of Bob. In my small interactions with Bob he was an understanding and supportive man. He loved and cared for his family along with many others. Bob will be greatly missed.
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Roseann Gleave My deepest condolences to you Eleanor, Barb, Nancy and family. I remember Bob as a man of integrity, dignity, kindness and sophistication. He was a true professional and I am deeply saddened by the loss of this wonderful man and friend.
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LESTER HUNT As a Principal on Leave I worked in central Office with Bob and cherished his positive attitude. I extend to my good friend Eleanor my sincere condolences, having lost Shirley over 5 years ago I feel your pain
Lester Hunt
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Agnes Ruest Dear Eleanor and family
The art world will surely miss Bob’s ongoing support at art openings and other events. He was such a well respected supporter of the arts. As a former teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing I remember too his strong support at Saskatoon Public Schools as our board liaison person for the Hearing Impaired Program. So many students benefitted from his thoughtful and consistent support for the program. We were so grateful. May your memories sustain you and
may Bob rest in peace
Agnes Ruest
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Bill Bell Bob was part of our fall and winter tennis group. I have the fondest memories of his youthful and positive enthusiastic outlook about all things. He was an inspiration about living a full life.
My condolences to his family and hope that wonderful memories will sustain you at this difficult time.
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Bonnie Tholl (nee Weiler) I echo all of the above comments. I too was at Brevoort Park School from 1-8 and he was an encourager with a bright smile that welcomed us every day. I remember our assemblies where we sang hymns from our little hymn books (I still have mine 60 years later) every Friday. What a school we had. The “We Try Harder” buttons were also a highlite for me but thinking back on it now what a way to push us to do better, be better kids, to care about one another. He instilled morals and love into each one of us. I wish we had people in our school systems now that cared that much!
Thinking and praying of you all as you miss him…
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Bob Bolt Dilts family, we are so sorry for your loss. I have so many happy memories of Bob and your family growing up. I remember him as a gentle man who always had a smile on his face. Our family was lucky to have known him.
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K. McBride My sincere condolences to the family and all that knew Mr. Dilts. I’m a former student from many decades ago, of what was then a brand new elementary school – Brevoort Park in Saskatoon – with Mr. Dilts as its first Principal. What a fine example of a person, educator and student supporter.
With Vice Principal Mr. Dickie they were a good team who had expectations of us, cheered us on and worked towards student successes. I have many great memories from Grades 3-8. In particular Friday morning assemblies of the entire school in the gym. We sang Oh Canada, God Save the Queen, and many popular songs of the day. And of course who could forget the “We Try Harder” buttons, given to those deserving students for whatever positive action of that week-academic or a kindness to others. Didn’t have to be a big thing either, it was noticed and their effort rewarded.
Over the years, I have remembered Mr. Dilts fondly. “Thanks for the memories”. He’ll not be forgotten.
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Jeff Bolt Sincere condolences to Bob’s family. In another lifetime we were lucky enough to spend time with The Dilt’s at family dinners, camping trips and a few journey’s to the mountains to ski. His sense of humour and positive outlook was an inspiration. Much peace to you Mr. Dilts. Thanks for the great childhood memories.
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Laurel Radomsky We are deeply saddened at Bob’s sudden passing. It is with the fondest of memories that we remember the Dilts Family.
Our deepest condolences.
Laurel (aka Laurie Bolt) & Phil Radomsky
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Julie Sutton Bob was such a lovely neighbour on Linkleas- cheerfully working away with Eleanor in their gorgeous garden. I’m sorry for your loss.
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Cathy Cyr My deepest sympathy to your family. Bob Dilts was truly a remarkable and memorable man and he had a huge impact on students and teachers. I always wished I had worked for him once I became an educator. He was so ahead of his time and I realize now how lucky we were at Brevoort Park to have him as our principal. So many innovative and forward thinking ideas. My mother went to Teachers College with Bob and was so pleased he would be our principal when we moved to the Brevoort Park community. I remember Mr Dilts fondly.
Cathy (Mienhart) Cyr
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Peter & Corinne Smith Eleanor and family: We were saddened to learn of Bob’s death. We were fortunate that Bob was the Principal at Brevoort Park School when our four children had their first experiences with formal education. Bob was a charismatic educator and leader. We recall his mantra – LBE – “Lets Be Enthusiastic” which characterized everything which Bob did. It was a wonderful “Mission Statement” for the school and the students and staff promoted it with great spirit. It made a lasting impression on our children. Working with Bob at Central Office in later years was always a pleasure. He maintained his sense of enthusiasm for education and students at all times . His contribution to the overall work of the Board was significant. He will be missed and remembered. The family will have a great deal of wonderful memories which will help them during this sombre period. We send our sincere condolences to all.
Peter & Corinne Smith
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Terry Kikcio Bob made a huge impact on my life in so many ways. He nurtured me from being a rookie teacher throughout my career. He was a gentleman, a scholar, and a great friend. His sense of humour and quick wit will always be fondly remembered. He will be missed.
My condolences to the “Queen”.
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Sandra Wood I remember Bob well. He was my superintendent when I began teaching with the Saskatoon Public School District. He certainly was a man of style! I thoroughly enjoyed my years teaching on the same staff with Eleanor. My sincere condolences to Eleanor and family. May you find comfort in family, friends and fond memories!
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Earl Chochinov Dearest Eleanor, Ethel and I always loved seeing you and Bob. He was a great tennis pal! I am heartbroken to hear of his passing and send you my sincere condolences. Best, Earl
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Sheila Kemp Dearest Eleanor,
I am so saddened by your loss but thrilled that you shared 30 wonderful years together. Bob was my first principal and you my second last. Your and Bob’s friendship meant the world to me during some difficult personal times.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
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John Wolfe I consider myself a friend of Bob’s as we were together in Kinsmen in Saskatoon. We had dinner and a meeting every Monday at the Bessborough Hotel as Kinsmen. We worked together on fundraising events. He will be missed by his old friends.
John Wolfe
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Tracie Smith I’m writing to offer my condolences to you. We’ve never met, but I have delightful memories of Mr Dilts, who was my elementary school principal in Saskatoon. He was a warm, welcoming man who encouraged the best in us academically and shared his love of music through weekly all-school assemblies in the gym where we would sing along to songs by Joni Mitchell, Anne Murray, Glen Campbell and others. I wish I knew he was living in Victoria as I definitely would have visited to say hello and to thank him for being a supportive part of my early school years.
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Heather MacLennan Nancy, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father.
Sincerely
Heather MacLennan
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Marylen Milenkovic Dear family,
Bob was my first principal. He energized everyone who worked with him. He supported me as a new teacher and encouraged my creativity. He had a zest for life and a thirst for learning. We would connect a few times over the years, whenever we were in the same place, and it was like time hadn’t passed.
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Sheril Wudrich Bob interviewed me for a teaching position with the Saskatoon Public School Board in 1985. I remember the pouring rain as I ran into the old board office downtown. Bob greeted me with a smile. He recognized my skills in music education and supported me.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing.
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George Morfitt Bob and I were many times on the tennis court together over the years. He was always very positive and upbeat, and it was my great pleasure to have known him.
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Jerry Blumenschein Dear Eleanor,
Norah and I were very sad to hear of Bob’s passing. He and I had many hard fought tennis games together. He was always fun to play with. I enjoyed our many discussions on many topics, he was very knowledgeable on many.
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David and Vicki Bouchard We have never known another like him; loving, gentle, giving, energetic and funny.
A mentor to say the least. A hero is more accurate. With deepest pride, we can say that Bob was/is a wonderful friend.
…Eleanor and family, we can only try to imagine the hole in your hearts. Know that so many of us who knew him less intimately love him so very much…and we all will miss him so very much.
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Higinbotham Dear Eleanor.
Bob and I were so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We will remember him as a fun and funny neighbour, a great cook, a tennis lover, and simply a delight to chat with. You two had a wonderful and adventurous life together and we know you will miss him. We will never forget him happily trimming his lawn edges with scissors!! Our condolences…
Ann & Bob
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Brenda Mowbray Nancy, Dave and the family,
We are sending our deepest condolences to all of you. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully with time the pain will ease and be replaced with all the wonderful memories.
All our love,
David and Brenda
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Wayne and Colleen Raven Eleanor, Colleen and I are so sorry to hear about Bob. I will always be proud to say that I knew him, honoured that we were able to maintain contact through the years. He was a special man. Thinking about you today.
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Cousin Eleanor Bob was a renaissance man if there ever was one.
He shared his love of life with us all. I will miss him in my life as will all who had the joy of knowing him.
Sincerest condolences to Eleanor and the Dilts family. I knew Bob as ‘Mr. Dilts’, my Principal at North Park Public School in Saskatoon during Grades 6 & 7 (1964-1965). I (Kelvin) was invited to serve on the student council where I experienced Bob’s grace, humour and mentorship. Unforgettable and life-shaping.
I moved to London, Ontario in 1966 and then returned to Saskatoon in 1976 as a married, post-graduate student. My wife completed her B.Ed. and assumed a teaching position in the Saskatoon Board where she met Bob Dilts as a superintendent. He instantly recognized her surname and inquired about her connection to me.
We now live in Burlington, ON. I came across the news of Bob’s passing because I have named him (along with a picture of him and the student council) in my personal memoirs that I am publishing for my family’s benefit. Mary Lynn and I thought we would search Bob’s name on the internet. Out of our mutual admiration and respect we honour him and extend our sympathies to his loved ones.