Robert "Bob" Spenst

Bob passed away peacefully after a long battle with lung disease. His life was full with work and the many adventures taken with his wife, family and friends. Bob leaves behind his wife, Evelyn Blenkinsop. Children – Werner (Sherry) Spenst, Lori (John) Wilkinson, Samantha (Lawrence) Hinke, Bobbi-Leigh Spenst, Candace Byers, Jason (Nicole) Byers, Greg Byers. Numerous grand children and great grand children and many extended family relatives and friends. Our family extends thanks to the wonderful staff at Saskatoon City Hospital for the care they gave.

Bob was born to Thelma and Ted Spenst on December 5, 1949 in Crystal City, Manitoba. After his mother passed away when Bob and his older sister, Shirley were just young, they grew up living with an uncle and aunt on their farm. Eventually Bob and Shirley moved to Winnipeg with their father, where Bob continued his education, attending a Technical Vocation high school, where he excelled in learning drafting. Which in a few years, would be the start of his career in construction.

Bob eventually married and moved his family to Saskatoon in 1976. He was working for Midway Sales in Winnipeg and it was Midway Sales who then transferred him to Saskatoon. Here he and his wife raised their four children. So, while the kids were growing up, so was Bob’s career growing. From Midway Sales, he moved onto working at Westland, then Indal Metals and eventually with Caradon Metals, where he worked for over 15 years. 

So in 1993 when Bob and Evelyn met, he was working for Caradon Metals as one of their estimators, estimating commercial jobs requiring metal siding and/or metal roofing. Work with Caradon Metal ended when the company changed hands and he was hired to help set up and run a start up company, Super Steel. He worked here until 2001 when opportunities arose for Bob to branch out on his own, starting his own company – SMP Metal Systems Inc.

Bob and Evelyn were avid weekend campers! Went everywhere and anywhere pulling a 5th wheel trailer and taking their dogs with them wherever they went. And every campground had to have a golf course, as that became the sport of choice. After years of hockey, baseball, slow pitch and throwing darts…..at boards, not each other!! Many trips started to become an annual thing, going anywhere hot in the winter. Eventually winters were spent in Yuma, Arizona for a few months.

Bob’s real passion was his work and involvement as a member of Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). He became a CSC member in 1988. He achieved his Certified Technical Representative (CTR) designation in 1996, and became a Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) in 1998. Bob was among the first group of members to achieve both designations. He participated in developing a curriculum (DACUM) process, which established the content of the educational topic material in the redevelopment of the CTR and CCCA education programs.

Bob worked for the betterment of the Association at the National level with his work on the Board of Directors and both the CTR and CCCA Education Subcommittees. At the Chapter level, he was a CSC ambassador to the local Saskatoon construction industry, and long ago committed to attending the CSC Conference regularly, which he and Evelyn attended more than 20 conferences.

He served on a number of committees and held various positions with the Saskatoon Chapter Executive as Chair, Vice-Chair and Trade Officer. Bob received many CSC awards, such as, Chapter Award of Merit, 2001; Program Director’s Award, 2001, 2009-2010; College of Fellows, 2017; Life Time membership in 2021.

Bob Spenst, FCSC, CTR, CCCA, Fellow, Life Member in CSC. The friendships made over the many years, were and will not be forgotten.

No Memorial Service will be held at this time.

Cherished Memories Funeral Services is honoured to be entrusted with Mr. Bob Spenst's care and arrangements.