Age 78 of Inver Grove Heights, MN
Passed away peacefully from complications due to dementia on March 11th, 2025 while under Minnesota Hospice care.
Bob was born on January 15, 1947 in St. Paul, MN. He attended Humboldt High School and later vocational school to learn the machinist trade. He had an extremely creative mind, fixing or rigging up any challenge that came his way. While working at Honeywell, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam crisis in 1971. Bob retired from 3M in 2007.
Bob married his wife of nearly 50 years, Lillian, on May 17, 1975, whom he met on a blind date. They were each other’s best friend and did almost everything together. He was a man of few words until he got to know you. He loved all things cars- new and old. He attended car shows, subscribed to many car magazines and always had a new Mustang in the garage- preferably red.
Bob and Lil traveled over the years and especially enjoyed the scenic and serene beauty of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They enjoyed relaxing in their sunroom watching the variety of wildlife that wandered by.
Bob and his 18-year-old cockatiel, Sunny, were a bonded pair. When she tragically died a year ago, it seemed that a part of Bob left with her. She was very special to him.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lake and Marcella (Tuma) Ward; sister, Patricia Jungbauer; brother-in-law, Edwin Schmierer; parents-in-law, John and Frieda Schmierer and Blanche Schmierer. He is survived by wife, Lillian; sister, Kathy (Joe) Loney; brother, Paul (Deb Kammerer); brother-in-law, Steve Jungbauer; sister-in-law, Lorna (Greg) Schafer; sister-in-law, Mary Schmierer; and many nieces, nephews and their children.
Bob is greatly missed by all who knew him and his dry sense of humor.
Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 pm Wednesday, April 2nd at The Veterans Memorial Community Center, Community Room #1, Door E, 8055 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Private interment at St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery at a later date.