Bob Prestage, 85, Camrose, Alta., passed away on April 22, 2022. The long-time purebred Angus breeder had been battling various ailments. We offer our condolences to friends and family.
Prestage’s love of cattle began with a good showing of his high school 4-H beef project at the Royal Winter Fair Queen Guineas competition. In 1953, his Angus calf placed Reserve Champion.
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Born in London, Ont., he enrolled in the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph in 1955. In 1963, Prestage and wife Margaret moved their family to a half-section just southeast of Camrose. Prestage had accepted a managerial job with Byers Flour Mill.
In 1974, Prestage took on the general manager position at Western Breeders Service Ltd., Balzac, Alta. After a few years, and a few more as the Canadian Angus Association fieldman, he began Wicklow Angus at Camrose.
He later became a beef cattle exporter under Canada Livestock Services Ltd, with Syd Palmer of Marsden, Sask., and Perry Wilkes of Cochrane, Alta. The group shipped livestock to Japan, China, Russia, Argentina and Chile.
Prestage involved himself in the community as a sports umpire and referee. The citizens often recognized his sports, community and agricultural efforts. He shared his accolades and expertise with family, friends and mentors, said his daughter Colleen.
Prestage’s wife of 63 years, Margaret, survives him, as do their children: Colleen (the late Jim) Johnstone, Wayne (Donna), and Kelly (Dale) McIsaac, along with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
– Submitted by Mark Kihn, Calgary, Alta.
