Obituary of Robert John Book

Robert John Book, Edina, MN, 94, entered eternal life on January 10 with family by his side and leaving us much too soon. Bob’s love of life encompassed a passion for service to his family, community, and country. He was born to Grace and Ray Book in Harrisburg, PA Aug. 21, 1923, but later moved to MN where he was an All City Guard for the Henry HS football team. He joined the United States Marine Corps within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor, fighting in the battle of Midway as a rear gunner and radio operator in the historic Douglas SBD1 Dauntless Dive Bomber. His squadron, the UMSB-241, was at Midway from June 26, 1942 through January 6, 1943. He also served in the Central and South Pacific as a Technical Sergeant in the Air Corps for the Marines. Returning home, he and his beloved first wife Georgie raised their 8 children and he continued serving his community as a long time Shriner and Mason. He loved the game of golf and was still riding in a golf cart through last fall. He was a consummate story teller and his stories always had an inspirational theme of being grateful. He left us with his classic statement of “It is what it is”. Preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Georgie; his son Ron; son-in-law, Walter Hudson; best friends; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary and Jack Morris. Survived by his cherished wife, Elizabeth Cherne Book; beloved brother, Edward (Inga) Book; Bob’s children: Robert Jr. (Lauretta), Cheryl (Virgil) Schneider, Barbara Hudson, Ray (Julie Parke), Dan (Roxanne), Mary, Nancy (Tim) Gjerde; Elizabeth’s children: William (Judy) Cherne, Cathy (Bruce) Long and Sara (Peter) Ribbens. Loving grandchildren: Amy, David (Lisa) and Matt Book, David (Karen) and Dan (Meaghan) Schneider, Andrew (Rashelle) and Samantha Hudson, Sarah (Robb) Akerson, Elizabeth (Logan) Fizer, Katie (Cory) Prestrud, Megan (David) Stadelman, Courtney (Stephen) Davis, David and Andrew Cherne, James (Allison) and Jeffrey Long and their sisters, Christina (Derek) Marin and Alissa (Bret) Waples, Eric and Fritz (Rain) Grimm; his many beloved nieces and nephews are: Edward (Elizabeth) Book, Sandy (Gary) Liddick, and Fred (Patty Lee) Book, Jack Morris Jr., Mike (Tracie) Morris and Michele (Bruce) Regan; his great grandchildren are: Chester, Clayton, Logan, Ellia, Bridget, Max, Grace and Georgia, Brynn, Jack, Lennon, Parker, Quinn, Leighton, Seth and Orion. Bob and family want to recognize and thank the dedicated staff of Founder’s Ridge and the hospice team for their wonderful care. A celebration of Bob’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 20 at Grace Church Chapel, Door 2, Eden Prairie Campus, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at church. There will be a private interment in the summer at Ft. Snelling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Founder’s Ridge, 6058 Chase Wood Parkway, Unit 203, Minnetonka, MN 55343.