Embedded Files
THE MAP
The above map shows an area where Bob did a great deal of flying in part of Northern Saskatchewan
and Manitoba where Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd., played a huge role in the development
of Mining and Livelyhood for many northerners. Without this industry, this region of our Provinces
wouldn't be developed to the degree that it is today. In 1981 - 1985, Bob accepted employment
as a operator at the Island Falls generating station located on the Churchill River as shown on
the above map. CRP - Churchill Riverr Power - This was a subsiduary of HBM&S. Bob worked
there until the summer of 1985 when Sask. Power offered him employment in Nipiwan, Sask., at the
Generation Station. The only flying Bob did in those years was on weekends and days off,
doing charter flights for outfitters and taking himself fishing occasionally.
The above is the Generating Station at Island Falls, Sask. This Damn was built by
Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. Without the development of this hydro project,
Mining in the north never would of got off the ground.
In 1927 & 1928, this was considered a major project. It was hard to believe that all the gravel
and concrete to construct this project was hauled in over the ice and a cement block plant was
assembled and production of blocks began for the construction of the above structure.
This was no small project.
This image shows the spillway on the downside of the Damn. This area from 1929 into the 1960's
grew into a rather unique little community. The people who were responsible for the operation
and maintenance of the site, lived in a small community which was organized and operated
by CRP - Churchill River Power which is a subsiduary of HBM&S.
The above structure was a residence for single people who were employed on the site.
This is one of the only remaining structures that remain standing. All the private housing that
were built to accomodate the employees who manned this operation have been
torn down and removed. Bob refers to this building as the Sask. Power Hilton,
as Sask. Power owns and operates the site and still uses this facility for
the accomodation of their employees. I had the privilege of staying there one night
back in 1958 after making a trip to Island Falls to visit a friend who was serving
his apprentice as an electrician. The only way into Island Falls in those days
was a winter road over the lakes and in the summer by boat or air. I believe it
was sometime in the 1960's, when there was an all weather road established.
The above image was taken in 1958 on my first visit to Island Falls. I found this an
amazing experience as I remember visiting the control room and the operator showing
us on the chart, each and every skip of ore that was being brought from the Mine was
being recorded on a Bailey Meter Flow Chart.
BARB & BOB BURGESS
On Oct. 9, 1965, Barb & Bob were married in Flin Flon.
They had two daughters - May & Heather
and two grandchildren - Livvie & Jake.
May today lives in Sweet Home, Oregon, U.S.A.
Heather lives in Saskatoon, Sask.
The family experienced the loss of Barb on March 31, 2010 in Sweet Home, Oregon.
Today Bob has become a permanent resident of Sweet Home, Oregon, USA.
living just down the road from daughter May.
Bob and his two daughters, Heather on the left and May on the right.
Bob has been flying and landing airplanes for many years. His two daughters
convinced him that he should take up sky diving. He said it was a great experience.
In 2016, Bob's daughters convinced him that he should put on a parachute and jump
out of an aircraft along with a professional diver. Bob says this is an experience that
he would like to try again. The free fall before the chute opened, he said was breath
taking. When the chute opened, he said he experienced quite a jolt as you are travelling
about 120 mph, and it took approximately 3 minutes to come down. He said this was
a great experience which he shared with his two daughters May & Heather.
MANY TAKE OFFS AND LANDINGS
I had an opportunity to sit down and talk to these two gentlemen at one of our
reunions, Barry Smith on the left and Bob Burgess on the right, as I have known them for a long time.
Bob has spent his whole life around aviation except for the latter years.
When I first got to know Barry Smith, we lived in the dorms and worked in the Smelter
and at that time Barry was taking flying training, then worked towards a Commercial License.
Barry is one of the few pilots who has built his own airplane. This is a huge accomplishment
and definitely shows his love for flying. Barry also was a pilot at HBAT for a short time
before the operation was shut down.
Childhood home of Bob Burgess - 505 South Hudson
Home of Bob Burgess today in Sweet Home, Oregon, USA.
FLIN FLON FLYING CLUB
The Flin Flon Flying Club was an organization started up by two of Flin Flon's businessmen,
Bill Cardell and Keith Taylor. This was in the years of 1966-67. After Bob received his
Instructors rating from Russ Orr, a fellow pilot, he went on to teach local people how to fly.
Bob Fraser, Harry Cross, Roy Bunn, Bill Gaitens, B. Bailey, Jim Lambkin and Glen Hogarth
received float endorsements and other training techniques from Bob and other pilots who
were involved in the training program. Glen Hogarth went on to making flying a career, and
ended up being Chief Pilot for Calm Air which is a northern air carrier. Glen today is now retired
like Bob. I have been told that he makes his home in the Swan River area. There were
also two ladies involved in the program who was Sue Taylor and Bob's wife Barb Burgess.
Bob told me that Barb received her instruction from other pilots.
THE FINAL FLIGHT
On August 2008, Bob made his last flight in this de Havilland Beaver. At this time, I would
like to give you a special thanks Bob for sharing your images and experiences for the
above article. When we started out on the Air Cadet Project, I kept learning more about
your career. I honestly felt that this was a story by itself that should be told. Yes, the
Air Cadet movement was definitely responsible for the future which you chose.
Thanks again and the best in your Retirement.
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