Roy Charles Wilmhoff

We announce the peaceful passing of our father Roy Charles Wilmhoff on September 7, 2024, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon at the age of 75, just five days short of his 76th birthday.

Roy was born in Covington, Kentucky on September 12, 1948. His father, Russ, ran a hardware store in Florence, Kentucky, and Roy grew up there. He always described his childhood as ideal: hunting, fishing, and camping with his best friend, Ron Morith, and his brothers.

Roy served in the US Navy from 1969 to 1971. Roy was proud of his service and that of his son, Russell, who followed in his footsteps, serving in the US Army from 2003 to 2005.

Roy valued education, receiving a BA in Mathematics from Northern Kentucky University in 1973 and a MA in Education from Northern Kentucky University in 1977. Roy taught high school students in the Boone County School District for several years in the 1970s. He loved teaching, especially students who struggled with learning.

In 1980, Roy received a MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He worked as a software engineer for almost twenty-five years. One of his projects is still used today. Roy loved engineering, appreciating the creativity needed for the work.

Roy was most proud of being a father. Since he was a young adult, he felt called to be a father, following his own father’s example. Roy described his father, Russ, as being there for him no matter what. Russ accepted his children as they were and wanted to help them be themselves. He followed the definition of love: willing the best for the other. Russ never had to think about this; it was just who he was.

Roy’s children remember him in the same way. Roy felt most alive when his children, Ginny and Russell, were small. Roy got up in the early hours of the morning to go to work just so he could pick them up from school each day. Anytime they were in trouble, Roy was there. Roy remembered best the time he spent with Ginny and Russell: taking them to soccer practices, basketball games, and 4-H meetings. Roy offered unconditional love to his children.

In 2004, Roy received a MA in Pastoral Ministry from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati, Ohio. That same year, he moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where he worked as a Roman Catholic lay missionary alongside Sister Pat Grisé and Sister Waltera Van Gennip. The three of them served the Indigenous peoples of Prince Albert and Sturgeon Lake First Nation Reserve, providing counsel, sacramental preparation, and material assistance. Roy learned a great deal from his Indigenous friends, and he held them in his heart. After fifteen years of ministry, Roy retired to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he lived for the last five years of his life.

Roy was a follower of Christ and a Secular Franciscan, following St. Francis of Assisi’s example for much of his life. He obeyed Jesus’ command to the rich young man: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). Roy’s advice to his children was not to live for themselves but to live for others. After a life of service, Roy is with his heavenly Father.

Roy was pre-deceased by his parents, Russell and Shirley (née Hood) Wilmhoff, his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and his sisters in ministry Pat Grisé and Waltera Van Gennip.

Roy is survived by his children: Virginia or Ginny Wilmhoff and Russell (Victoria) Wilmhoff; his brothers Steve, Gary, and Ralph; nephews and nieces; and his many friends.

We would like to thank the excellent caregivers who looked after Roy at the Royal University Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital, palliative care unit, in Saskatoon.

A funeral will take place at St. George’s Round Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a memorial service will be held in Florence, Kentucky. The dates for these services will be announced at a later date