Obituary of Robert O Megard

Age 83 of St. Paul Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle. Passed away surrounded by loving family on May 25, 2017. Preceded in death by parents Isaac and Stella; grandchild Jason Jones and great-grandchild La’Vonte King Jason Jones. Survived by loving wife of 59 years Bobbi; children Rachel (Jeff) Tranberry; Allison; Jason; grandchildren Stella, Sophia, Jonas (Dillon), Adriann, LeShae, Heaven; 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Stuart (Connie); many other family members and friends. Born in Garretson, So. Dakota, he was a graduate of St. Olaf College, University of New Mexico and earned a Ph.D. at Indiana University. His 42-year teaching and research career at the U of M was focused on Limnology (fresh water). Research activities took him to England (Lake Windermere), Iran (Lake Zeribar), New Mexico (Deadman Lake), Lake Superior, Lake Itasca, and the Mississippi River. Bob spent a sabbatical year at the Lake Kinneret, Israel laboratory as a Fulbright Scholar. Always willing to share his expertise, Bob was loved and respected by his graduate students and colleagues. Multi-talented, Bob enjoyed music playing the saxophone, piano, and recorder. He was a dedicated outdoorsman; mountaineering, hiking and camping. An avid gardener, he designed and maintained a perennial garden at his home of 50 years in St. Paul. He was also an accomplished photographer often exhibiting his work publicly. After retirement he and Bobbi spent many years in Mexico appreciating the people, language, and culture. Celebration of Bob’s life Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Cargill Building, 1500 Gortner Ave. U of M St. Paul Campus, from 2 - 4 pm. Memorials preferred to: U of M Foundation, Itasca Graduate Research Fellowship, c/o Dean Valery Forbes, College of Biological Sciences, 123 Snyder Hall, 1475 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108; memo “in honor of Bob Megard”.