Robert James Lovig

June 11, 2021 Dear Sarah, Laura and Campbell, You may not remember me but I met you three in the hospital when your dad got his heart valve transplant many years ago. To me, your father was a very very deer friend. We worked together doing the Valley Ridge school rout after our commuter run for many years. Later we than worked together at National. And when he retired we would have lunch or dinner every month. We always talked and laughed and laughed. We had many things in common and always shared stories. He always introduced me to others as his “Spanish friend”. We poked fun at each other and shared news of the most treasured part of our lives - our children. He was always proud of you, his children, and would tell me in great detail what each of you were up to. There are many things I admired about your dad. But, the one that impressed me the most was the love and devotion he had for each of you. I last spoke to Rob in late March or early April. We had our regular talk that would last at least an hour. Because of the pandemic, we missed our usual lunches together. On the first week of May, I came down with COVID and was hospitalized. Later that month I was finally discharged from the ICU. Since June, I’ve been trying to contact Rob. I thought that maybe he had gone to Australia and had disconnected his phone. I just learned of his passing this afternoon. I’m heartbroken. I will truly miss my good friend. I can only imagine the great loss you three must be experiencing. May your sorrow be comforted by the memory of him. I will miss all the laughter we shared together. Our last lunch together was before the pandemic hit. I was always struck by how he always had the waitress’ attention and had them hanging on his every word filled with his Australian charm. Truthfully, I was jealous. So, I threatened him that I would have him deported if he didn’t drop his Aussie accent and spoke english properly. He chipped back at me, “Hey, my Spanish friend, it’s my accent that draws the ladies to me.” To swipe off his cheeky grin, I replied, “Well, it definitely isn’t your looks.” We would have so much fun together. He was a beautiful man filed with humour and never shy to enlighten you with his opinion over anything and everything. It is with deep sorrow filled with tears that I share my memory of him with you. My life was truly blessed to have had your father as my good close friend. I will miss him terribly. I do not know when the memorial for Rob was held. I’m so sorry if I missed it. Sincerely, Rob’s Spanish friend Erles LeMaro (403) 473-6198