1941 – 2025
Roald “Tubby” Berling of Sundre passed away peacefully at the Myron Thompson Health Care Center on January 20, 2025 at the age of 83 years.
Roald was born Dec 26, 1941 at the Olds hospital to Heinrich Wilhelm & Hilda Berling. He was raised on the homestead north of Sundre & attended school at the Rockwood District School until age 14 then he left home to go to work. He worked on the family farm but also saw milling, delivering cream, and many other odd jobs around the Sundre & James River area while still at home. In 1963, Roald went to work for Arnett & Burgess pipelining all over Alberta & Saskatchewan. While working in Lloydminster he met Connie Smithson & they married April 13, 1968 & spent 56 years together.
In 1968, Roald purchased a truck, moved back to Sundre, and went to work for Clark’s Transport Ltd., then owned by Allan & Nellie Clark, and eventually he and Connie purchased the business. Roald retired in 2006 when their son, Darrell, bought the business. He kept his class 1 license & worked for Don Hehr part time when he wasn’t farming. He also occasionally drove truck for Darrell to help out & did some hot shotting for different people. His favorite past time the past couple of years was taking road trips with his friend Ron Alliban. Roald enjoyed fishing & took many trips to Campbell River, BC, and Kluane Lake, Yukon with friends. Roald & Connie spent many winters in Mexico & Yuma where they made many memories & met many great friends.
Roald is lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Connie Berling; daughter Annette (Floyd) Smathers; son Darrell (Melissa) Berling; grandchildren Matt (Taylor) Hill, Tyler (Kayli) Berling, Conrad (Britney) Hill, Haley (Landon) Berling, and Kiana Bonnington; great grandchildren Blaire, Braxton & Liam Berling, Autumn & Colter Hill and, due any day, baby girl Berling-Brown; brothers Albert & Jim, sisters Elsie, Jean & Billie; as well as by many other family members & good friends.
Roald was predeceased by his parents, Billie & Hilda Berling; brother Baldur Berling; sisters Nell Stevenson & Vi Logan; and his nephews Roger Stirling & Gary Logan.
In keeping with Tubby’s wishes there will not be a service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation at Heartandstroke.ca or to the Kidney Foundation at Kidney.ca. Condolences to Tubby’s family may be emailed to [email protected]. Please indicate “Berling” in the subject line. Arrangements in care of Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer AB 587-876-4944.
