Robert (Rob) Brian Mancuso passed peacefully, and with gentle dignity, from this life to the next on April 18th, 2022. Rob was born May 1, 1951, in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Manitoba. Rob's affection for humanity was evidenced by his soft-spoken, caring demeanor and by the many people who loved him and those who called him their friend. His kindness and his ability to find and reveal the best in everyone, made him a fine human being, respected by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Gladys (nee Hall); his former wives Diane (nee Backs), mother of his daughter, Lisa (also deceased) both of Phoenix, Arizona as well as Micheline (nee Leblanc) of Trois-Rivières, Quebec. He is survived by his and Micheline's son, Christopher (Kate).

Rob spent the last 22 years with his constant companion and beloved wife Cynthia (nee Gates). They enjoyed their golden years together in Brandon Manitoba, before moving to Branson and finally retiring to Springfield, Missouri. He will be lovingly remembered by brother-in-law and sister-in-law Clay and Sally, his stepdaughter Joann and his step-grandchildren Andy, Grant, and Madalyn, all of Springfield, Missouri.

Growing up in a military family, Rob traveled extensively, moving around different military bases where his father was stationed in England, Germany, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba. As the oldest of four children, he is survived, loved, and will be missed by his siblings, Pauline (Martin), John (Sandra), and Carolina (Charles), nieces; Melissa and Kristen, and nephews; Robin, Joey, and Ryan.

Rob continued to travel throughout his life, visiting and living across Canada and the United States. It was during these travels that he pursued his lifelong passion for music and where his interest in the historical cultures grew. In 1990, Rob graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with the greatest distinction from Brandon University, where he studied archaeology. His fascination with this subject and keen mind earned him a high honor with the Brandon University Gold Medal from the Faculty of Arts. Rob's research on the diversity of pottery artifacts along the Pembina trench in Manitoba led him to enroll in graduate school at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, where he continued to study the pre-history of North American Indigenous peoples. This interest also lead him into fine arts, where reconnecting with his First Nation heritage resulted in a large collection of artworks, many of which are kept in the Brandon University archives.

Music was always present in Rob's life, and he was a talented and multi-faceted musician.  He wrote, composed, and produced many songs and albums with his bands over the years. While he loved to listen to all music genres stemming from an early childhood introduction to opera by his father, his music style was rock, pop, and blues. Rob, despite his quiet/introverted nature, was also a natural entertainer and played many gigs with his lifelong friend and bandmate Lyndon Bournon in the Sudden Thunder band. Upon moving to Missouri, he quickly became involved in the local music scene, where he used his skills in songwriting, arranging, and producing to create original music for his new bands: Messing with Destiny, Southern Streak, and The Indictables.

In the true style of a great and well-loved musician, it's only fitting that Rob plays himself out, with some of the lyrics to his song - The Prairie Wind:

"Was on the road, late at night, under the stars, rolling across the plains. Was thinking about my life. Yes, my love, I'll soon be home again."

Rob's Celebration of Life will be from 1-3 pm on May 12 ^th , 2022 at South Street Christian Church, 500 South Ave, Springfield, MO 65806, United States. All are welcome to join us as we remember and celebrate the life of this fine man.