"Bob" Robert Lewis Strawhorn

Peacefully, after a long struggle with cancer, at Sakura House , Woodstock, on Saturday, February 11, 2023,  Robert Lewis "Bob" Strawhorn in his 74th year.

Beloved husband of Claire Sauve.  Dear father of Adam Strawhorn, and dear step-father of Marie-Josee Morin and Rene Brochu.

Bob was a well known and highly respected historian both locally and internationally.    Over the years he was always in demand by historical groups to give his in-depth and colourful presentations based on his wide ranging expertise from local history of South-Western Ontario to Canadian involvement in both the American Civil War and the Underground Railroad. 

He was featured on Episode One, Season Two of “The Curse of the Civil War Gold” on the History channel.  A well known Civil War re-enactor, he also used his skills as a gunsmith to both build and accurately repair period firearms, ranging from canons to flintlocks. 

He was a relentless researcher, and when not busy researching from his vast collection of history books, he would spend time walking remote areas of south-western Ontario with his metal detector, searching for lost sites of local history.  

He was a real life walking encyclopedia when it came to identification of old artifacts,  especially anything related to the War of 1812 and the  American Civil War.  

Bob will be greatly missed by many who are  involved in the preservation of heritage, not just here in Ontario, but all across Canada and the United States.

A Funeral Service and a Grand Sendoff for Bob is planned for May, when the weather turns better; it will be held at Oxford Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodstock, Ontario.  

Announcements will be made here when arrangements are finalized.

In the meantime, Bob had asked that his friends remember him with a toast from the best bottle of Fine Sipping Bourbon they can find.

Memorial donations in Bob's memory may be sent to Sakura House Hospice (VON Oxford),   715180 Oxford Road 4, Woodstock, ON, N4S 7V9    or online at www.vonsakurahouse.com