December 18, 1931 – February 16, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Robert Dalziel (Bob) Cumming on February 16, 2026, in Kamloops, BC at the age of 94.
Bob is now with his wife and sweetheart Roberta “Noreen” (Simpson) who passed away on July 5th, 2019. We are certain they are having a great time driving down many dirt roads listening to Alan Jackson with their dog JD on Mom’s lap. Dad will be whistling and Mom will be singing as they head to a favourite picnic spot or fishing lake.
Bob was born on December18, 1931 in Mission, BC to Llewellyn and Jessie Cumming, and was the youngest of four brothers. At a young age his family moved to the BC Southern Interior while his parents ran the Ashcroft/Cache Creek Journal newspaper.
He loved playing hockey, and softball and travelled to many different towns to play. Hockey was played on outdoor rinks in very cold temperatures in those days and the games against many rivals were some of his fondest memories. His first true love may have been softball though, and he continued on with this love of the game to help coach his kid’s ball teams and would umpire ball games as required. Bob also volunteered with their hockey teams and was given an award for his many miles he put on the highway driving their team vans.
As Bob’s grandchildren began arriving, watching their activities and sports became very important to Him and Mom, even if it meant a drive out of town.
Bob was also a long-term volunteer for the Kamloops Blazers, taking care of the player gate and dressing room area at Memorial Arena through many seasons including their move to the Sandman Centre in 1992. Bob loved sharing memories around all those years with the Blazers.
Bob loved curling as well, and at one time was the President of the North Kamloops Curling Club. He played in the mixed league and in mixed bonspiels with his wife Noreen, as well as being picked up to play on men’s rinks. He was an avid curling fan right up to his final days, with a passion for watching as many games as he could on TV. Watching the Scotties and Brier Tournaments as well as the Blue Jays baseball games were Bob’s favourites.
During his working years in Kamloops Bob spent many years in the trucking industry, finishing his career with 20 years with VanKam Freightways. While with VanKam he started with downtown freight deliveries to smaller businesses, then worked with larger warehouses delivering to grocery stores and liquor outlets. Bob also ran a chip van between the Fadear Sawmill near Barriere, BC and the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill. Bob loved doing a good job and was very proud of his career’s impeccable driving record.
Always the hard-working home owner, Bob was constantly working on projects at home either inside doing small renovations, or outside working on his beautiful yards. Bob received a city-wide award in Kamloops for the landscape work he did when Mom and Dad decided to put in an in ground pool.
He was very good at including his kids when he did his projects and they all benefited from his hard work and finishing skills.
Dad is survived by his four children; Lyn,(Kevin) Gannon, Donna Thibault, Doug, (Kelly) Cumming and Lorne, (Lynette) Cumming. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Noreen, his infant son Bruce, his grandson Luc Thibault and son-in-law Marc Thibault.
Throughout his life Bob was always a fun, social guy with many great memories that he created both at home with his family, and in the community. Most importantly, Dad made friends along the way his entire life with his positive, fun presence. His smile and laugh will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
Bob’s family would like to thank the staff at Pinegrove for their care for him for the three years he was with them. We always felt that Dad was in good hands and we know he felt comfortable being his goofy self which made us very happy. As time passed his medical needs increased and so did the care and caring we felt the staff brought to dad’s life. From the bottom of our hearts – thank you.
As Bob’s request there will be no service. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com