Kin looks to the past, present and future

Forty-four years ago, North Battleford's first ever Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo was held. The chairman that first year was Bob Craig, who passed away this past fall. At a presentation April 18, the Kinsmen, Kinettes and K-40 Clubs honoured his memory.

Staff May 6, 2014 2:00 AM

At the recent Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo, special presentations were made to honour the late Bob Craig, North Battleford's first-ever rodeo chairperson, as well as Canadian Cowboy Association's chairperson of the year Heath Gabruch. In addition, the Kinsmen made a presentation of $25,000 to the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre building fund. Left to right are Craig's granddaughters Jill Campbell and Jordan Lamon, Tammy Heinemann (BTEC fundraising committee chair), granddaughters Anna Atcheynum, Leah Campbell and Lauren Campbell and Gabruch family members Samantha Gabruch, Colleen Gabruch and Heath Gabruch. Craig's granddaughter Megan Atcheynum and Heath Gabruch's mother, Diane Gabruch, were unable to attend.Photo courtesy Bannerman Photo

Forty-four years ago, North Battleford's first ever Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo was held.

The chairman that first year was Bob Craig, who passed away this past fall.

At a presentation April 18, the Kinsmen, Kinettes and K-40 Clubs honoured his memory. He was described as the leader of a group of men who, including Craig himself, had little experience to undertake such a project, but who saw something in the community that would embrace rodeo in the Battlefords.

They called on the right people, educated themselves and with a little luck and hard work birthed a legacy of leadership and vision still being celebrated by Kin today.

Craig's family was told the community will be forever thankful for him and his hard work and vision.

Someone once said, "behind every great man is a great woman." It was pointed out that Craig had lots of girls to back this statement - his wife Gerry, four daughters and eight grandchildren, seven of them girls. His granddaughters were called upon to take part in the presentation.

Also honoured that evening was Heath Gabruch, described as the driving force behind the success of the rodeo for over 20 years - the Battlefords' unofficial Mr. Rodeo.

Gabruch, it was said, holds the whole event together with his leadership, hard work and passion, not only for the rodeo but for the Battlefords and area.

Gabruch's father was a Kinsmen, his mother Diane is still involved with the K-40s, his wife Colleen is part of the rodeo committee and his daughter Samantha has performed at past rodeos as part of her 4-H club.

It was also announced that Gabruch has been named the 2013 chairperson of the year by the Canadian Cowboys Association.

With the help of the Craig and Gabruch families, the Kinsmen family made a presentation of $25,000 to the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre for the construction of a new building.

A thank you was sent out to the rodeo fans, sponsors and citizens of the Battlefords who have made it possible for the Kinsmen to donate over $200,000 dollars back into the community over the last five years.

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