Bob Bateman was quick in the past to acknowledge that he was blessed with a great life.
And though his final year was far from his best, the upbeat, positive, successful entrepreneur made the best of a bad situation.
Bateman lost his battle with ALS, a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease, Sunday morning in the intensive care unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. He was 62.
Scott Bateman says his father was able to convey fun and the joy of life throughout the debilitating illness.
“That’s the way Dad was and that’s the way he went out,’’ Scott said on the peaceful passing of his father.
Bateman was determined, following diagnosis in November 2011 with ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease), to spend his remaining months, weeks and days embracing life with no intent of fearing death or bemoaning his condition.
He even agreed last year to discuss his positive battle plan with The Guardian in the hope of inspiring others.
“If it’s going to be a death sentence, so be it,’’ he said speaking cheerfully during an interview on his Charlottetown deck last summer.
“We are going to try to have fun and take advantage of the remaining time.’’
Steve Connolly was touched to witness his good friend back up the pledge. Connolly time and again saw Bateman relish being in the presence of family and friends throughout his fatal illness.
“He will be remembered as a great source of inspiration for all who may face a similar health crisis,’’ said Connolly.
“Bob Bateman will be remembered by all who knew him as a most unforgettable personality,’’ he added.
“He was a devoted family man who, along with his wife, Carolyn, embraced the challenge of raising a son (Adam) with severe autism disorder. He was a man of the highest integrity in all his business and personal encounters.’’
In business, Bateman overcame his share of setbacks in growing Prince Edward Air from one leased airplane into a 25-plane fleet with 130 employees before he sold the operation in 2010.
He tallied more than 30 years of aviation experience as a pilot, flight instructor and operations manager. He also served in management roles with various airlines.
In 1998, he was awarded the Transportation Person of the Year Award by the Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, Prince Edward Air was named Service Provider of the Year by Canada Post Corporation. In 2004, he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his determination, vision and business acumen.
Bob joined his wife, Carolyn, in knocking down many doors advocating on the behalf of their son, Adam. Along with two other couples, the Batemans established the successful Stars For Life Foundation to provide a lifelong living and learning experience for young adults with autism.
For family and friends, thoughts at this time are more likely to shift to the personal, rather than professional, side of Bob Bateman.
Bateman was viewed by many as a man of wit and intelligence. His warm and engaging nature was such that he could make a stranger feel like a friend early into a first meeting.
“For me as his son, I was always in admiration with his rapport that he had with anybody,’’ said Scott.
“He always took the time for me to share his nuggets of his wisdom. He always took time to get across what his experiences had been so I would not make the mistakes he made in the past.’’
Visitation will be Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 at Belvedere Funeral Home in Charlottetown. The funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Charlottetown.
Memorial donations should be made to the Stars for Life Foundation.
