Remembering our past Bob & Deen Hymas

John Godsman

Times Contributor

 

Bob and Deen have been very involved with agriculture throughout their lives. Their farms in both Rosebud and Strathmore are mainly mixed farms, with the cattle element raising purebred Shorthorns for show and sale. Bob had been born in Calgary in 1933, but his family lived at Rosebud, and he has lived on a farm all of his life. This was the farm his grandfather built in the early 1900’s after moving there from Nebraska in 1909, by train to Strathmore. 

As an early settler, his grandfather had to break land and build barns and a house before he could move his family to join him four years later. By the time he moved his family in 1913, they were able to travel by train to Rockyford.

Deen was christened Nadine, but this was shortened to Deen at an early age, and she has been known as Deen most of her life. She was born in Saskatoon, but moved to Ontario at an early age. 

Following her graduation from Ryerson College in Toronto, she returned to the west, taking up residence and employment in Calgary. Her employer was Carl Nickle, owner of the Western Oil Examiner.

Bob and Deen met at Penley’s dance hall in Calgary in 1953. They were married two years later. They have two daughters, one son, and five grandchildren.

In 1989, they moved just west of Strathmore thus allowing son Rod and wife Jackie the freedom to raise their lovely daughter Kirbi without grandparental interference. Rod took over the day to day management of the Rosebud farm and has done his parents proud with his management skills. In 2009 Grasswold Farms celebrated 100 years of continuous production by the original family on the same piece of land. 

The move suited Bob very well. As a Director of the Calgary Stampede and President of both the Alberta and Canadian Shorthorn Associations, he was required to attend frequent meetings in Calgary.  

At the same time, Deen was secretary for the Alberta Shorthorn Association. In 1980, The Calgary Stampede hosted the World Shorthorn Congress, which was a very busy time for both of them. They have lived very busy lives, and been well respected volunteers with many organisations. For example – apart from the above mentioned involvements Bob has served with the Rosebud Lions Club, Rosebud Home and School Association, Rosebud Seed Plant and 17 years as County Reclamation Officer.  

Deen was president of the ill fated Western Heritage Center in Cochrane in the early 1990’s, was Girl guide leader in Rosebud and district commissioner for our area, served on several youth committees at the Calgary Stampede encompassing 27 years, and has been a member of UCW – United Church Women, since she lived in Rosebud.  

She has just retired as  chair of the Planning Committee for UCW in Strathmore. This included the Strathmore United Church Thrift Sale, held annually in April and October,  where she is a tireless worker. 

Since moving here in 1989, they both advised that the population of farming communities is decreasing, due to the creation of much larger farms but still believe that small towns are the best place to raise you kids.