Prominent Saskatoon activist, Bob Fink, dies at 80

Robert Fink, a well-known activist in Saskatoon, has died at the age of 80.

Family sent a news release Thursday saying Fink passed away peacefully at his home the morning of Sept. 8.

“Fink was outspoken and sometimes direct, but no one doubted that he pursued what he perceived to be the common good. Privately, he was a warm, caring and very humorous person and a very involved parent,” the release read.

Fink was a prominent activist in areas of human rights, poverty, war and the environment during the 1970s and 80s.

He is survived by his friend and former spouse, Candace Norton, his daughter Cassandra and four grandchildren.

Fink was predeceased by his son Darcey, who died accidentally in 1988 at age 10, as well as his parents and his two brothers in the United States.

Born and raised in New York, Fink moved to Saskatoon in his 30s and remained in the city for the rest of his life.

He became a Canadian citizen and produced a number of scholarly and creative works including well-known drawing and prints, especially of Saskatoon heritage sites, posters, books, essays, CDs and sheet music, composed and performed concerts.

Fink was an active contributor to local newspapers and published his own journal, Crosscurrents, for several years.

Saskatoon was his adopted home through and through. Rink ran to be elected to city council; his attempts were spirited, albeit unsuccessful.

He won a legal victory for the right to poster in public locations, which serves as a precedent in Canada and elsewhere.

A memorial gathering will be announced at a later date.