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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
RUMBERGER, Donald Thomas - passed away on June 15, 2016 at the Melfort Union Hospital after a short illness. Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Olive, and their four children – RichardD (Linda) of Candle Lake and their three children – Brian (Robin) and their children Skyler and Emrick; Allan (Samantha); and Thomas; Donald (Donna Ponath) of Melfort, and his children Jaime (Darren Trautman) and their children Brandon, Tyler, Braelyn, and Caiden; Jenna (Nate Chalaturnyk) and their daughter Ivy; Patricia, of Melfort; and Garth (Cheryl) of Whitecourt, and their children Michael Guttormson (Kim) and their son Owen; Mathew Gargol (Lulu); Kimberley (Jason Harper) and their children Bethany, Georgia and Blake; Kelsey; and Carson.
Don was born December 22, 1922 on the original King Homestead at Bridgeford, Saskatchewan to Jacob Walter and Florence Bathgate Rumberger. Soon after the family moved to Senlac, Saskatchewan where Don took all of his schooling and began his lifetime interest in sports and community service.
Don entered the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942 and saw duty in Bermuda, Newfoundland, Northern Ireland and Scotland doing convoy duty on the North Atlantic and the North Sea, including the Murmansk run
After the war Don returned to Canada and spent the first year at Naicam, where his parents had moved. He followed that with a year at the University of Saskatchewan, and then joined the CPR as a station agent. While doing relief duty at Cut Knife Don met a beautiful redhead who worked at the bank. Don and Olive May Rewerts were married October 9, 1950, and had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year. Don and Ollie moved around as their children were born – Adanac; Pangman; Pleasantdale; Estevan; and finally Naicam, where all the children completed their high school education. It was in the North East part of Saskatchewan where they found their roots, and where their children still call home. Don operated his insurance agency – Rumberger Agencies – from 1962 to 1985 in Naicam, joined by his sons Don Jr. and Garth. This was followed by a final move in retirement to Melfort, which became their final home.
Don was heavily involved in sports from a young age. He was known in curling circles, having lost in the provincial final once, and won his district several times. He was a tremendous baseball player, playing primarily with the Unity Cardinals in the late 1940's and early 1950's, playing throughout Western Canada. In golf he won several tournaments, and in 1988 recorded a 75 in a tournament – one under his age. It did not matter what sport he tried, he was a natural.
Don was also involved in the communities in which he lived. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge; the Legion; the Lions; the Foresters; and many other charitable and business groups dedicated to improving the lives of those in the community. Don and Ollie were still delivering Meals on Wheels to "seniors" in the community when he was 90 years old!!
Don was predeceased by his sister Charlotte, and her husbands Percy Coates and Richard Urton; his brother Robert, and several of his in-laws on the Rewerts side
Funeral services will be held from the Melfort United Church on Monday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m. with a lunch and happy hour to follow at the Melfort Legion. As he said: "The party had better be longer than the funeral!" Rest in Peace Dad. Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Melfort Legion Roofing Fund, the Melfort United Church, or to a Charity of One's Choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort. (306) 752-3838. (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 17 Jun 2016) HMCS STE THERESE - Served in Ste Therese during the Second World War
Ships served in: HMCS STE THERESE - Don served in STE THERESE during the Second World War
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