Obituary of Dr. Robert Neils Andersen

On Monday December 9th, 2019 Robert “Bob” N. Andersen, recently of Brainerd, MN, long time resident of Maplewood MN, passed away at the age of 91 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Bob was born the youngest of three siblings on June 8, 1928 in Steele City, Nebraska, to Effie and Hans Christian Andersen. They knew the riches of family and the sweat and toil of getting by during the Great Depression. At seventeen Bob joined the army, serving in the Occupation of Korea between World War II and before the Korean War. Utilizing the GI Bill, he attended the University of Nebraska and received a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and continued on to earn his Master of Science. Later, he received a PhD from the University of Minnesota. His professional career was devoted to weed research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, mostly at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. His book the "Propagation and Establishment of Weeds for Experimental Purposes", is still relevant in his field of research. Though he was known for his editorial red pen by his graduate students, they still lined up to have him as their advisor. A humorist and popular Master of Ceremonies, Bob shared his dry Mark Twain-like wit with many an audience. For over a decade his work in weed research had him collaborating and traveling to India. He assisted in the development of the Indian Weed Science Society. He learned Hindi out of love and respect for the Indian people.

With his wife Jean, they raised two sons; Robert and Steven in Maplewood, Minnesota. He was a tender care giver to Jean when she developed early onset Alzheimer’s disease. He was a merciless player of cards, Scrabble, chess, trivia and table tennis. He loved his time at “the cabin“ in the Brainerd lakes area. He liked to be behind the lens of a camera, but loathed to be its subject. Passionate about the declining monarch butterfly population, he gave butterfly demonstrations at fairs and city festivals, as well as raising 200 monarchs from eggs. In his retirement you could find him building remote controlled airplanes, making and flying kites, traveling with his special friend Marthetta, and enjoying being a grandfather. Fond memories are held by now adult grandchildren of sending pop bottle rockets skyward, watching for the parachute of a C6-7 model rocket, and holding the spool of a rambunctious kite with Grandpa looking on.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Jean, son Robert, special friend Marthetta, sisters Mary and Hilda, daughter-in-law Karen and many other friends and family. He is survived by son, Steven, daughter-in-law, Debra, grandchildren Sarah, Maria, Scott and John, nephews Roger (Shirley), Jim (Sally) and niece Mary as well as many relatives and friends.

Memorial service is POSPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE at the Cremation Society of Minnesota (1979 Old Hudson Road, St Paul)

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be given to EHCO - an agricultural development non-profit organization at; Echonet.org.

Sister in law Rev. Bobbi Hargleroad will be presiding.

One bit of advice Bob would leave with you, as attributed to Mark Twain: “Humor is Mankind’s greatest blessing”