My Uncle Bob passed away Friday night. Perhaps his Spirit heard the St. Olaf choir and orchestra performing beautiful music for the Christmas Festival, which we were attending that evening. He was 94 years young (my father’s younger brother by nine years.)
He was young at heart…he played tennis into his 80’s, had a great sense of humor and he was a strong man of faith. He and his wife of 71 years were wonderful folks who were loved by many. They retired to their home on 150 acres in Northern Minnesota with shoreline on Bay Lake, near Brainerd, in the 1990’s. They had three children and eight grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
My uncle was a successful business man. He started a printing business in his basement in the 1950’s. I remember going to his house as a little girl, with my father, being downstairs among the printing equipment. Then he moved the business to a small storefront space in NE Minneapolis, before moving again to a larger building in New Brighton, as he expanded the business. He eventually sold Printcraft, and retired.
Gary and I would go up north to visit them occasionally. We stopped in and had lunch with them this summer, in August 2021. I’m so glad we did. He loved that Gary and I were both interested in the family history. He told many stories about my dad and their brother, Uncle Earl (died in 2004), and their sister, Auntie Ag (who also died in 2004). My dad died 47 years ago (1974) and Gary never met him, so it was special to hear the stories my uncle told. He became like an uncle to Gary too.
One fond memory is, for several years at Christmastime, we had a competition going…my uncle like Red River cereal, a hot cereal and a rival to the Malt-O-Meal hot cereal. When Gary started working for Malt-O-Meal we wrote limericks and read them aloud to each other on Christmas Eve. It was quite fun and something everyone enjoyed. We will reread them this Christmas.
We have many good memories of Uncle Bob. He will be missed.
May you Rest in Peace Uncle Bob.
So sorry for your loss Valerie! So glad you guys stopped for a visit this summer after our biking trip. I’m sure you have wonderful memories of your uncle.
Thank you Carolyn.
We are so happy we stopped in this summer too.
Remember he invited us all to come stay at his place next year? Sigh.
I have heard Uncle Bob stories over the years…
such a full life and connection to the larger family story,
now moving over the threshhold we must all cross.
May his full life be a continuing benediction on your journey.
Love! Hugs!!
Thank you Frances.
I appreciate your thoughts.
My sympathy in your loss Valerie. No matter how old a loved one is, they are certainly missed. Your Uncle Bob sounds like a wonderful man who gave you and Gary a lot of Joy!
He did give us joy.
Thank you Shirley.
Valerie, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved Uncle Bob. Thank you for sharing all of those stories. I feel like I really know him. I would have found him quite interesting given his print shop business. I hold a fascination for old school printing style.
I’m thankful you had that wonderful visit in August. What a blessing.
Thank you Audrey.
It is a wonderful story of a young man with no money, borrowing a little to get one machine, starting in his basement, and growing the business into a very successful company.
We will miss Bob so much too❤️ In a way he was our uncle in America. He and Joyce helped Heine and I when we came to America in 1979 to live in Rapid City. Bob helped us by a car, a big Oldsmobile🤩 We have many fun memories of Bob up at the farm, grilling hamburgers or fish with his norwegian apron🇳🇴 He loved Norway and we are so glad that he visited us several times🙏 ❤️
I know you have fond memories of Bob too. I didn’t know about the car story. That’s great.
He was a kind man. I’m glad you all got to know him well.
Sending our Love and sympathy to all of you in Norway, as your grieve Uncle Bob too.
Val,
So sorry to hear that your dear Uncle Bob passed away. What a fascinating life he lived. My mom’s last living sibling, Uncle Leslie, died in September at the age of 96. He had run the family farm since 1954. His was the passing of a generation so we flew to Michigan to the services to honor them all. We were so glad to be present as part of the Downing clan. It’s now our turn to take on that mantle of the oldest generation. Tough shoes to fill.
This is true for me also…the passing of a generation and now it’s our turn to take on the mantle. And, I agree, they are tough shoes to fill.
Sorry for your loss of Uncle Leslie.