Bob was born on the 26 Jun 1896 at Riversdale, Southland, New Zealand. He was the eldest born to parents Robert and Kate at a time when his father was completing his Blacksmith apprenticeship at Riversdale.
Bob, followed, to a degree, in his dad’s footsteps. He is recorded as playing for the 1907 Balfour School rugby team in a tournament and coming out on top for his grade. Bob spent a lot of his adult life at sea and with the Union Steam Ship Coy around the Pacific. He worked almost 30 years for them.
Latterly, Bob was a watersider at Lyttelton and lived in the Opawa area of Christchurch. He married Winifred Doherty on the 20 Apr 1924 at the Catholic Cathedral on Barbadoes Street, Christchurch.
It should be pointed out that in the Death announcements, Bob’s name was written as Robert Steele Stark. But to the best of my knowledge, that was his father’s name and Bob’s middle name is Francis.
Later he joined the merchant navy about 1915 and retired from the Union Steamship Co. as a seaman about 1946. There are records in the Appendix Journal to the House of Representatives showing Robert being paid sick leave; that from 1917. Winifred passed away shortly after Bob in 1966.
From the family it would seem that Bob never regained his sea legs and missed it terribly. He would be away for long stretches and come back to a house with lots of kids, which would be in conflict with his need for peace and quiet. Both are buried at Ruru Cemetery, Linwood, Christchurch.
There were 4 Children – Doug (formerly Noel), June, Marie and Patricia. Doug worked for a stevedoring firm in Tauranga. June resides in Tauranga, Marie in Rangiora and Patricia lived at Papakowhai, near Porirua.
From there union stemmed 4 children, some who are living today.
Winnie predeceased Bob by 6 months and passed away on the 11 Dec 1965.
Bob passed away on the 12 May 1966 at Coronation Hospital, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Winnie and Bob are buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch – Block 10, Plot 138.
