Obituary of Robert Daniel Roberts

Robert Daniel Roberts, aka “Bob” aka “BobOV,” was born on January 22, 1956, in Windsor, Ontario, to Barbara (née Nussbaum) and David Roberts. Bob passed away ten days after his 70th birthday, on February 1, 2026.

Bob’s first marriage was to Linda Turner (d. 2019), and he was the stepfather to her two daughters, Tammy (Walt) and Kimberly. Later in life, Bob married Jennifer Esliger (d. 2025) and became stepfather to her three children, Clem (Julie), Jeff (Shelly), and Stephanie (Esam). Bob was the step-grandfather to nine grandchildren, Delionte, Bianca, Courtney, Candace (d.1993), Daniel, Connor, Keara, Sophia and Adam and five great-grandchildren, Ella, Noah, Avah, Riley, and Callum. 

Bob took his role as a stepfather seriously and always tried his best to help all of his children. He spent much of his adult life teaching us how to drive, finding us cars, showing us how to fix them, and ultimately fixing them himself. Bob was an avid car enthusiast and was always on the lookout for a new project car. Throughout his life, he frequently shared stories of his grandfather’s Indian motorcycle, enjoyed riding his own Kawasaki motorcycle, kept his 1975 Dodge Club Cab for nearly 40 years, and, more recently, treasured his most prized possession: his 1994 Rio Red Mustang SVT Cobra Indy Pace Car.

Bob began attending Mustang auto shows with his stepson, Jeff Esliger, and from the very beginning, the two shared a special bond founded on their love of cars. In the final months of Bob’s life, when he became ill, Jeff was his preferred caregiver. Jeff visited Bob almost every day and helped him feel comfortable—something that is not always possible in a hospital or healthcare setting.

When Bob was younger, he spent a great deal of time on the road driving truck with his father, David. He went on to spend the majority of his working career at Ford Motor Company, working primarily in the foundry.

In his earlier years, Bob participated in races at Checker Flag and especially loved the bump-and-run. He would spend months searching for the perfect classic 1970s, steel, Detroit-made junker, adorn it with the finest spray paint, and then proceed to smash it up. It was a family affair, and all of us kids remember it as an essential part of our 1980s childhood memories.

Bob had a travelling spirit and enjoyed making trips with his wife, Jennifer, to the southern United States, visiting Tennessee and Florida several times. He also loved his cottage in Northern Ontario, and while he was not a hunter, he cherished the solitude that only the north could offer.

Bob was especially close to his late friend, Bob Cantelo, aka “Bobablue” (d. 2019), and the two spent many years enjoying a deep and lasting friendship. Bob was honored to be chosen as godfather to Bobablue’s first son, James Guimond-Cantelo.

Aside from his many interests, Bob had a big heart and a huge soft spot for animals—especially his German Shepherd mixes. Duker, Lobo, Macs, Lady, Jake, Ben, and Harley graced his life at different times, providing companionship and unconditional love. He was also eventually “convinced” to love the cats as well: Pawsie, Smokey, and Missy. Each animal left its imprint on his heart.

Smokey was originally his stepdaughter Stephanie’s cat and later became the family cat, living solely with Bob and Jennifer. Smokey was a lovely grey cat who was quite obese; however, Bob didn’t see it that way and told everyone (and I mean everyone) that Smokey was muscular. To Bob, Smokey was a bodybuilding champion, and he couldn’t look past his love for the cat to see any faults. Despite his obesity, Smokey lived a healthy 12 years alongside two different German Shepherds and was loved by all.

Bob and Jennifer loved camping and spent many summers at the KOA campground in Windsor. Bob enjoyed bonfires, cooking over the fire, getting fresh air, and being at one with nature. Bob’s mother, Barbara, was a Girl Guide instructor, so Bob always came prepared with several “prescriptions” for bee stings, cuts, scrapes, and burns. He especially loved the “cut an onion in half” bee sting remedy.

Bob had a dry sense of humour and won over healthcare staff with it. He was infamous for having a witty comeback to almost any question or remark. He also loved talking about his cottage, his Mustang, and his dogs.

Bob will be greatly missed by his family. He will be cremated and laid to rest in the plot he shares with his wife, Jennifer, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, next to his grandparents and aunt.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Bob’s memory may do so to the Humane Society of Windsor.

https://windsorhumane.org/make-a-donation/