Tribute

Bob Petho was born in Timmins, Ontario in the spring of 1954. His parents, proud new Canadians and Hungarian immigrants (Vincent and Anna), raised him through over a decade of Ontario winters where he and his brother Vince “walked to school uphill both ways” until moving to the southern Okanagan in 1971.

As the years progressed, Bob welcomed two beautiful sons, Jason and Eron, and began what would be a legacy career with the Ministry of Transportation. By 1982, his career brought him to Quesnel, BC where he met the love of his life, Myrna. The couple married in 1983 and welcomed their daughter, Karisa, in 1984. Shortly after, the family relocated to Terrace, BC on a five-year transfer with the Ministry, which evidently lasted over 30 years, across many of the highways and yellow lines you still drive on today.

Fascinating conversations of politics, philosophy and the meaning of life were a constant in the household, but Bob’s biggest goal in life was to make people laugh and smile with his endless “Bob jokes”. One thing he always taught his family was that if you were going to do something, you do it right the first time – and he did. To his wife and children, Bob offered the steadfast values of unconditional love, respect, and trust which he believed were the key to a strong family.

Bob and Myrna became grandparents to six grandchildren over the years (Spencer, Lawerence, Logan, Liv, Kenzie and Zachary). “Poppa” brought great joy, laughter and storytelling into their lives during camping adventures, attending horse barrel racing events, hockey games and more. Bob was also an uncle to over 25 nieces and nephews across BC and Alberta, and enjoyed many nights spent with his amazing friends and family around campfires and card tables.

Bob retired from the Ministry after 39 years of successful projects and countless awards for project quality and employee dedication. He and Myrna relocated to the southern Okanagan in 2019, but Bob’s tires weren’t ready to cool off. Bob applied his dedication to quality and high standards at WSP Canada, where he then retired after another seven years in August 2025.  During this time, Bob was able to foster new, meaningful friendships at the Cottages, including his much-loved weekly poker nights and walks along the beach with Myrna.

Bob’s road trip ended peacefully surrounded by his family on December 31, 2025 after a short battle with very aggressive cancer. He simply remarked, “Beam me up, Scotty.”

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Moog Hospice House in Penticton, BC. The true kindness, professionalism and compassion delivered to Bob and his family by staff and volunteers was an incredible support in his final days.