WALTER ROMBOUGH

1917 - 2002

Walter Rombough of Taber, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7, 2002 at the age of 84 years.
Walter was born on July 12, 1917 in Haileybury, Ontario, one of fifteen children born to Samuel and Jean Rombough. At a young age he moved with his family to Alberta where, as a teenager, he began working for Anthony Haynes. In 1938 he went to work for D.A. (Art) Noble and later married his eldest daughter, Della. He continued to work for Mr. Noble until he rented his own land which he farmed before eventually taking over the Russ Noble farm. Walter and Della had three children together. Patricia was born in 1945, Ken in 1948 and Sheron in 1951. In 1956 the family relocated to the Sid Price farm southwest of Taber. There, he farmed and raised cattle before purchasing Gordon Hall’s land in 1967. Two years later in 1969, Della passed away. He later married Melinda Hall Bullock in 1970. Walter continued to farm with his son Ken along his side until the late 1980’s when he retired and moved to Taber. Throughout his life Walter kept himself busy with his involvement in the Prairie Livestock Auction, the Taber Rodeo Committee and the Taber 4H Club where he was the recipient of many awards including the “Friends of 4H Award” in 1999. The Rombough family name was well known in Taber for their construction abilities. Walter, his father Samuel and his siblings all worked together and built many houses and buildings in Taber and surrounding area. In his retirement he enjoyed bowling and travelling. He spent many hours travelling to a variety of towns and cities to watch his grandchildren participate in sporting events. His presence and support will be missed by his many friends and those who mattered most to him... his family.
Walter leaves to cherish his memory, three children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a daughter Patricia (Eddy) Sparks of Taber; a son Kenneth Rombough of Taber and his family Shari (Dale) Schmidt and her sons Brodie and Colton Gross Schmidt of Vaughn, Montana; Della (Blake) Schramm and daughter Robi of Taber; Tammy (Rob) Goldade and daughters Jasmin and Mackayla of Brooks; and Dustin Rombough of Taber; a daughter Sheron Rombough of Taber and her son Shaun (Larissa) Rombough and their children Rachel and Ryland. Walter is also survived by his step-family, Deonne (Keith) Barkly of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Glenda (Tom) Harris of California; Pat (Ethel) Hanna of Medicine Hat; Lanny Bullock; thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters of fifteen siblings; Edna (Mel) Ronspies, Mary Malinsky, Ruth (Taras) Nawolski, Ellen (Roy) Jensen; sisters-in-law Agnes, Vivian and Edith Rombough all of Taber; sisters-in-law Mae (Dick) Hudson of Taber and Louise Noble of Calgary; brothers-in-law Jim (Elaine) Noble and Jack (Betty) Klassen all of Taber as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Walter was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Jean Rombough; his first wife Della on June 14, 1969; daughter-in-law Arlene Rombough on July 2, 1998 and his second wife Melinda on January 15, 1998.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, March 10, 2002 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Monday, March 11, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Jim Lochhead officiating. Interment followed at the Archmount Cemetery in Lethbridge at 1:30 P.M.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Walter’s name can be made directly to the Taber Hospital Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.