Obituary of Robert "Bob" Leslie Anderson Jr.

Robert “Bob” Leslie Anderson, Jr.

Anderson, Robert “Bob” Leslie Jr. of Little Canada, MN passed away at the age of 84 on August 18, 2024, in Big Lake, MN due to natural causes. Bob was born on November 2, 1939, in Duluth, MN where he was raised on a farm and tried to avoid getting into trouble while attending Hermantown Schools. Bob joined the United States Air Force at the age of 17 where he served honorably for 23 years, including time spent in Germany, the Philippines, Thailand, Africa, and Vietnam. It was in Vietnam where an altercation involving a machete and his thumb led to his claim to fame as one of the first successful thumb reattachment surgeries. Or so he liked to tell his wide-eyed and potentially gullible kids who were amazed by the scars, but unlikely to research medical history books.

After retiring from the USAF, Bob moved back home to Minnesota to work at Ford Motor Company in St. Paul helping to assemble Ford Rangers for 23 years. He relished retirement, frequently reminding his kids about his “A Plan discount” or saying, “Thank you for my retirement!” with a big smile every time he spotted a Ford vehicle on the road. During this time, Bob also attended Century College in White Bear Lake, demonstrating that with perseverance and determination, anything is possible, even when helping to juggle a busy household while working the night shift.

Bob was the father of 10 children: Terrie (David) Soberg, Sheryl Jones, Laurie Anderson, Craig (Tara) Anderson, Karyn Anderson, Jennifer (Mark) Foede, Kirk (Shara) Anderson, Erik Anderson, Brita (Ethan) Stoneman, and Brendan (Amanda) Anderson. They, along with their mother (Bob’s former wife and steadfast friend) Bonny Anderson, miss him deeply but will continue to cherish his memory. His legacy includes being survived by 37 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren who called him “G-Bob”, whom he loved spending time with and spoiling, to the best of his ability. His love for his family was immense, though close runners-up included John Wayne movies, Diet Pepsi, and shopping on Amazon. However, due to a mysterious childhood incident he never discussed, corn was decidedly off his list of favorites.

Bob embraced his wicked sense of humor, using it to frighten his children by pretending to eat Boxelder bugs, pulling out his partial denture to display his missing teeth when it was least expected, and using his middle figure to push up his glasses in a gesture of defiance. His “Damn Pigeons” hat (complete with fake bird droppings) was a proud staple of his wardrobe, and he was no stranger to singing loudly in his off-key voice at church. And no one can forget his weekly playful tease about driving over a moving train “Dukes of Hazzard” style while waiting for it to pass, a Sunday morning routine that always followed a Saturday night family viewing of the latest episode.

Bob was a devout student of religion and scripture. He identified as a Christian and had a specific list of doctrines that a church must have in order for it to fit into his belief system. After years of searching for the right fit, he found solace in studying from home on his own terms finding joy in the books, videos, and music that became his form of worship. Bob was also a passionate family historian. He researched his family’s genealogy for over 40 years, finding thousands of relatives going back as far as the records in Norway and Sweden allowed, as well as studying the lands they inhabited. Places he wished he could have visited, but sadly could not. One can only hope that his post-mortal life includes a visit to Valhalla, where he might finally meet the kin he delighted in telling stories about after finding their records in the genealogical libraries he visited on road trips to Wisconsin, Utah, California/Oregon, or throughout Minnesota. Accompanying him on these trips were any of his kids willing to help scan microfiche films or census books in exchange for coveted alone time with him. Bob also took to trips to Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri, and South Dakota to visit family and sight-see the country he loved and served.

Bob is also survived by his siblings Jeffrey Anderson, Linda (Dale) Reno, Kent Anderson, and David Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert (Marion) L. Anderson Sr. and Margaret (Ray) Ekroot; brother Keith (Terry) Anderson; and granddaughter, Brianna Bradford. While his loved ones grieve his passing, they take comfort in imagining him reunited with those he missed.

A celebration of Bob’s life will occur at 2174 100th Ave. Princeton, MN on 11/2/2024 at 11 a.m. A private inurnment will follow at Park Hill Cemetery, Duluth on 11/4/24. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The American Legion or other military charity of choice.