With profound sadness and loss, we announce the passing of Robert Ralph Ryan.

Rob was born July 25, 1945, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to Earl Fahselt and Grace Stuart and adopted by Russell and Eileen Ryan of Aylesbury, Saskatchewan.

Rob was a simple man who led a complex life. He passed to the great rodeo grounds in the sky on April 25, 2023, after a brief battle with lung cancer. His parents, brother Larry Fahselt and canine companion Jock predeceased him.

He grew up on the family farm south of Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, where he developed a lifelong love of horses and cattle. It has been said that Rob sat a good horse.

Rob grew up on the Ryan family farm, early on having a daughter Leanne, before marrying Marjorie Carveth from Craik, Saskatchewan, with whom he had three children, Leslie, Michael, and Nicole, before embarking on a career in the trucking industry. His job took him over much of Canada and the United States, from the ice roads of northern Canada to the southern United States. Rob married Lauren Johnston, with whom he shared a long marriage and with whom he formed Ryan’s Hope Charolais.

In the late 1990s, Rob’s employer transferred him from Regina to Edmonton, causing him and Lauren to move from their ranch outside Vibank, Saskatchewan, to a ranch west of Mundare, Alberta, where they continued to develop and run their herd.

Throughout his life, Rob had many roles: truck driver, safety supervisor, depot manager, and regional manager. Rob once calculated that he had driven approximately six million accident-free miles in his forty years on the road. He was also known as a rancher, cattleman, outrider, socializer, rabble-rouser, storyteller, beer drinker, Robweiser, BBQ master, shine maker, cribbage master, The Verminator, and The Gopher Man.

He often proudly rode with his friends Fred and Mary Ann Olson, travelling throughout Alberta with their six-horse team and stagecoach, showing the world one of his true passions; the beauty, power, precision, and pageantry formed between a well-trained and driven team of horses and their driver.

Later in life, Rob retired to Cabri, Saskatchewan, to be near family, where he lived until his passing.

Rob was rough around the edges, a no-nonsense man, a good and loyal friend, and a man of simple wants and needs. All he needed was a beer fridge full of cold Budweiser, a couple packs of smokes, and someone to listen to his endless stories.

Rob leaves behind a large extended family consisting of four siblings, his cousin Joyce Padbury whom he considered a sister, Clifford Fahselt, Donnalee Fahselt, Robert Fahselt, and their families. Rob is also survived by his four children Leanne Sciotti, Leslie Willfong (Trent), Michael Ryan, and Nicole Hudec. His legacy includes eight grandchildren, Tanner Willfong (Courtney), Tory Willfong (Tessa), Joshua Hudec, Adam Hudec (Robyn), George Hudec, Katie Hudec, Nicki Dunn (Travis), Chrystal Sciotti, nine great-grandchildren, Bob and Steph Stuart, their family, and too many cousins to mention individually.

Special consideration goes out to two of Rob’s close friends. First, his best friend, Barry Gerein, with whom he shared a long friendship and many misadventures. Second is Rob’s neighbour and close friend, Dani Sorenson, and her children. Their friendship, while relatively short, demonstrates how the bond of shared experience, mutual respect, and kindness soon creates a lasting connection.

A special thank you is extended to Clover House staff in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, for caring for and supporting Rob during his final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Meadows Auxiliary Van Project, care of the Meadows Care home in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

A private family celebration of life will occur at a later date.