Robert Calf – Aapinakoitapi (Morning People/Person)
Robert fought a hard long battle with his ailments and on December 28, 2022 he couldn’t fight the battle any longer. Robert was born June 22, 1952, he was 70 years of age.
Robert is survived by his loving companion of 52 years, Rita; children, Terence, Robert Jr., Cory, Leonard (Kalline), Casey (Michelle), Kevin (Kirstie), Shannon (Andrew). Adopted children: Kimberly (Keith), Fritzie, Ethan (Stephanie) Stacey (Patti). Grandkids; Melissa, Trinity, Summer, Vaughn, Renee, Brice, Tazz, Daija, Kyle, Tre, Marshall, Kaelib, Lenni, Cody, Payton, Margo, Megan, Alexis, Jarome, Jazmine. Dad Reggie White Man Siblings; Maternal Linda (Joe), Patrick, Melvin (Christine), Adopted Sister Ruth (Francis) Paternal Gina, Marie (Dexter), Rose; Brother-n-law Frank. 14 great grandchildren. Robert took most of his younger cousin as his nephews and nieces so they considered him as their “Uncle". Robert has many families, friends and relations too numerous to mention and we apologize for anyone missed.
Robert was raised by James and Betsy One Gun as a Kiipitaipooka. He was given a role to help cut the hide for the Okaan. He enjoyed his yearly trips to Calgary Stampede and their 10 days camping in which One Gun would get his picture taken in his regalia. A favorite past time was attending the Calgary Stampede Wrestling with One Gun. Robert was very helpful and wanting to learn ranch work with his brothers Alvin, Julius and Aloysius but it didn’t work for him.
Robert started as a construction worker in Lethbridge and various labour jobs. He then worked at the Napi Lodge as an Addiction Counsellor and volunteered at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre. Robert was then hired at the Kookooni Group Home and from there he worked at Jimmy Wolf Tail Aftercare in Piikani. In 1996, Robert worked at Kainaiwa Children Services as a Youth Coordinator, a couple of his highlights is establishing the Youth Council and he received an Award two years in a row; Centre of Excellency on behalf of Student’s Commission of Canada. Mentorship Award from Youth Strategy (Alberta Children Services). He then transferred to the Adolescent Treatment Centre and then worked for the Kainai Transition Centre Society as the Coordinator for Job Ready. Robert worked as a Director for the Kainai Healing Lodge. He was involved with the Student Commission of Canada, Alberta Youth Task Force, sat on the Advocacy Board for Alberta Children’s Services, KBE PAC – Middle School. Robert mentored a lot of youth in his life and utilized his job skills gained to help others in need.
Robert coached many teams throughout his 70 years in life. His love for playing fastball, volleyball and basketball led him to become a successful coach. He taught everyone the fundamentals of the sport he was coaching by enhancing their skills and talents.
Robert played for the Moses Lake Hawks as a pitcher and first baseman, he also became a coach/player. He coached the Moses Lake Golden Hawks a younger team from the community. The Golden Hawks represented in many tournaments and one highlight was the Friends in Sports. They joined the Lethbridge Fastball league and played at the Dave Elton Park. While he volunteered at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre he ran many successful tournaments both in basketball and fastball. Robert attracted many teams throughout Canada and the United States; such as, BC Arrows for fastball, a North Dakota basketball team and had many volleyball memorial tournaments that were very successful. In 1994 he coached the RCCC Volleyball Team to its first ever AIHEC Volleyball Champship. Robert also played golf and picked up the sport again in his later years. He also ran many successful tourneys in golf and had an annual Father’s Day Birthday Golf Tournament, he included all his children. Robert also started a family Pool team in 2021 (RnR Inc.), his love for team sports and playing alongside his family was always a highlight in his life.
Robert and the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki days is where a book and movie was made, Medicine River, Thomas (Tom) King. So, as they would say, Robert made Hollywood. He started playing guitar at a young age with his cousins playing rock n roll and country music throughout his younger years then gospel music later on until this day. Teaching his boys how to play guitar and other musical instruments. He travelled to many gospel events throughout Canda and the U.S with his family. Seattle was one of his favorite trips, going every chance he got, also Nespelem and Wellpinit, Washington state. Making many friends for life in these travels. He travelled to Arizona in 93’ with family giving his granddaughter Kyle an Indian name in Mexico. Robert also gave Indian names to his nephew and nieces. A year earlier his son Jr ran to Teothuican, Mexico as part of a journey from Alaska to Mexico City. Robert travelled to Hawaii with Rita, Frank and Lucius in 82’ during easter break. Casey played in the LCC Kodiak Men's Volleyball team, 1999-2000, it was a great accomplishment for dad to see. Robert supported his family's spiritual journey in the piercing sun dance and the Horn Society. He did his best to support his children and of course Rita in all the things that they were involved in. Robert has many testimonies and stories that have shown the works he has done in this lifetime.
Robert lived a humble life and his sobriety lasted 45 years, he also accepted Jesus into his life and did a lot of Jesus’s work with family and friends. He wasn’t afraid to talk with anyone about the Word of God. The Cursillo was a big impact to his life and in 1990 Robert made his Cursillo, his family followed after and then in 1992 Robert was the Cursillo Rector. His theme songs were Born Again and Come Unto Jesus. He also helped with the Adult & Youth Pilgrimages in the music department and it was here that he helped to establish the Monday Night Gospel Jams in the Moses Lake Community. Robert received an Appreciation Award for the many things he did with the music ministry. Robert was a Calgary Flames fan and every chance he would get he would go up to Calgary to watch his favorite team with the love of his life Rita.
On November 30, 2022, we briefly lost Robert and when he awoke, the first thing he said was, “Jesus loves me”, he had the biggest smile on his face.
A wake will be held in his honor for two nights, January 9th from 4-9:00 pm at Siksika (Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbor) and January 10th from 6-11:00 pm at Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve. The funeral will take place on January 11th, 2023 at the Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve starting at 11 am.
Robert has many families and friends to mention and we are looking forward to seeing them all once again. Come join us, the Calf/Black Plume Family in “Celebrating the Life of Robert Calf”.
Click to Send a Condolence to the Family
Robert fought a hard long battle with his ailments and on December 28, 2022 he couldn’t fight the battle any longer. Robert was born June 22, 1952, he was 70 years of age.
Robert is survived by his loving companion of 52 years, Rita; children, Terence, Robert Jr., Cory, Leonard (Kalline), Casey (Michelle), Kevin (Kirstie), Shannon (Andrew). Adopted children: Kimberly (Keith), Fritzie, Ethan (Stephanie) Stacey (Patti). Grandkids; Melissa, Trinity, Summer, Vaughn, Renee, Brice, Tazz, Daija, Kyle, Tre, Marshall, Kaelib, Lenni, Cody, Payton, Margo, Megan, Alexis, Jarome, Jazmine. Dad Reggie White Man Siblings; Maternal Linda (Joe), Patrick, Melvin (Christine), Adopted Sister Ruth (Francis) Paternal Gina, Marie (Dexter), Rose; Brother-n-law Frank. 14 great grandchildren. Robert took most of his younger cousin as his nephews and nieces so they considered him as their “Uncle". Robert has many families, friends and relations too numerous to mention and we apologize for anyone missed.
Robert was raised by James and Betsy One Gun as a Kiipitaipooka. He was given a role to help cut the hide for the Okaan. He enjoyed his yearly trips to Calgary Stampede and their 10 days camping in which One Gun would get his picture taken in his regalia. A favorite past time was attending the Calgary Stampede Wrestling with One Gun. Robert was very helpful and wanting to learn ranch work with his brothers Alvin, Julius and Aloysius but it didn’t work for him.
Robert started as a construction worker in Lethbridge and various labour jobs. He then worked at the Napi Lodge as an Addiction Counsellor and volunteered at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre. Robert was then hired at the Kookooni Group Home and from there he worked at Jimmy Wolf Tail Aftercare in Piikani. In 1996, Robert worked at Kainaiwa Children Services as a Youth Coordinator, a couple of his highlights is establishing the Youth Council and he received an Award two years in a row; Centre of Excellency on behalf of Student’s Commission of Canada. Mentorship Award from Youth Strategy (Alberta Children Services). He then transferred to the Adolescent Treatment Centre and then worked for the Kainai Transition Centre Society as the Coordinator for Job Ready. Robert worked as a Director for the Kainai Healing Lodge. He was involved with the Student Commission of Canada, Alberta Youth Task Force, sat on the Advocacy Board for Alberta Children’s Services, KBE PAC – Middle School. Robert mentored a lot of youth in his life and utilized his job skills gained to help others in need.
Robert coached many teams throughout his 70 years in life. His love for playing fastball, volleyball and basketball led him to become a successful coach. He taught everyone the fundamentals of the sport he was coaching by enhancing their skills and talents.
Robert played for the Moses Lake Hawks as a pitcher and first baseman, he also became a coach/player. He coached the Moses Lake Golden Hawks a younger team from the community. The Golden Hawks represented in many tournaments and one highlight was the Friends in Sports. They joined the Lethbridge Fastball league and played at the Dave Elton Park. While he volunteered at the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre he ran many successful tournaments both in basketball and fastball. Robert attracted many teams throughout Canada and the United States; such as, BC Arrows for fastball, a North Dakota basketball team and had many volleyball memorial tournaments that were very successful. In 1994 he coached the RCCC Volleyball Team to its first ever AIHEC Volleyball Champship. Robert also played golf and picked up the sport again in his later years. He also ran many successful tourneys in golf and had an annual Father’s Day Birthday Golf Tournament, he included all his children. Robert also started a family Pool team in 2021 (RnR Inc.), his love for team sports and playing alongside his family was always a highlight in his life.
Robert and the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki days is where a book and movie was made, Medicine River, Thomas (Tom) King. So, as they would say, Robert made Hollywood. He started playing guitar at a young age with his cousins playing rock n roll and country music throughout his younger years then gospel music later on until this day. Teaching his boys how to play guitar and other musical instruments. He travelled to many gospel events throughout Canda and the U.S with his family. Seattle was one of his favorite trips, going every chance he got, also Nespelem and Wellpinit, Washington state. Making many friends for life in these travels. He travelled to Arizona in 93’ with family giving his granddaughter Kyle an Indian name in Mexico. Robert also gave Indian names to his nephew and nieces. A year earlier his son Jr ran to Teothuican, Mexico as part of a journey from Alaska to Mexico City. Robert travelled to Hawaii with Rita, Frank and Lucius in 82’ during easter break. Casey played in the LCC Kodiak Men's Volleyball team, 1999-2000, it was a great accomplishment for dad to see. Robert supported his family's spiritual journey in the piercing sun dance and the Horn Society. He did his best to support his children and of course Rita in all the things that they were involved in. Robert has many testimonies and stories that have shown the works he has done in this lifetime.
Robert lived a humble life and his sobriety lasted 45 years, he also accepted Jesus into his life and did a lot of Jesus’s work with family and friends. He wasn’t afraid to talk with anyone about the Word of God. The Cursillo was a big impact to his life and in 1990 Robert made his Cursillo, his family followed after and then in 1992 Robert was the Cursillo Rector. His theme songs were Born Again and Come Unto Jesus. He also helped with the Adult & Youth Pilgrimages in the music department and it was here that he helped to establish the Monday Night Gospel Jams in the Moses Lake Community. Robert received an Appreciation Award for the many things he did with the music ministry. Robert was a Calgary Flames fan and every chance he would get he would go up to Calgary to watch his favorite team with the love of his life Rita.
On November 30, 2022, we briefly lost Robert and when he awoke, the first thing he said was, “Jesus loves me”, he had the biggest smile on his face.
A wake will be held in his honor for two nights, January 9th from 4-9:00 pm at Siksika (Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbor) and January 10th from 6-11:00 pm at Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve. The funeral will take place on January 11th, 2023 at the Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve starting at 11 am.
Robert has many families and friends to mention and we are looking forward to seeing them all once again. Come join us, the Calf/Black Plume Family in “Celebrating the Life of Robert Calf”.
Click to Send a Condolence to the Family