Robert Baier Lawler, 94, of Rochester, died Friday, September 7, 2012 at his home at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where he had resided for 12 years. He had been cared for by his loving family and Seasons Hospice for the past four months.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30AM, Wednesday, September 12, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Tuesday evening at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church.
Bob was born April 23, 1918 on the family farm in Haverhill Township, Eyota, to Bill and Eva Lawler. This farm was homesteaded by his great-grandfather and remains still the "Lawler Farm." Bob attended the country school near the farm. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1936. He lived his entire life in the Rochester area.
Bob married Patricia "Pat" Shandley of Rochester on March 26, 1943 at Barksdale Airfield in Louisiana. Bob and Pat had nine children. Bob is survived by his children, Patty (Dick) Lohner of Parker Colorado, Bob (Paula) of Bemidji, MN, Mary Lynn (Mike) Marshall of Concord, California, Colleen (Ken) White of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David of Rochester, Mark of Lutsen, MN; 17 grandchildren, Sarah, Matt, Bill, Bob, Jean, Heather, Shawn, Craig, Anne, Molly, Kelly, Kevin, John, Meghan, Elle, Charlie and Eric, along with 14 great-grandchildren, sisters Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman of Eyota, sisters-in-law Margaret Lawler of Eyota and Mary B. Lawler of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, sons Bill and Jack and his daughter, Barb Wentink, and granddaughter Amy Wentink.
Bob had a life-long love of flying. He got his first pilot's license in 1938 at the Rochester Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp in 1941. He was based in England where he flew 72 combat missions as a B-26 Marauder pilot with the 9th Air force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful missions. On returning stateside in 1944 he became a B29 instructor pilot and flew over 300 hours. He was discharged from the active air reserve as a Captain. Bob continued his flying as a partner in Flying Foods Inc. for several years. He owned a J3 Piper Cub for many years and rented other aircraft as well at the area airstrips. He continued to fly into his 80's. In May of 2011 he celebrated his 93rd birthday by skydiving.
Bob has resided the past 12 years at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where along with many friendships he built a beautiful rock garden. He enjoyed flying, reading, rock gardening, watching sporting events, following politics, playing his keyboard, traveling, but most of all he loved visiting with his many friends often telling wonderful stories with his keen sense of humor and Irish wit.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. Francis and St. John Catholic Churches. He was a permanent member of the American Legion Post 92 and the VFW 1215. Bob was co-founder of the Electrical Assemblies Company in Rochester. He retired as a Farmer Insurance agent for 20 years.
Bob was a Befriender Volunteer at the Rochester State Hospital for many years. He was a weekly volunteer at Dorothy Day for 10 years. Earlier years he worked as a Christmas Anonymous volunteer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day Homeless Shelter. The family wishes to thank all of Dad's many family and friends who have been so loving and caring during the short illness of the past few months. All of you were a great gift to Dad during his final days. He treasured and enjoyed all of you.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary and photo from Macken Funeral Home.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30AM, Wednesday, September 12, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Tuesday evening at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church.
Bob was born April 23, 1918 on the family farm in Haverhill Township, Eyota, to Bill and Eva Lawler. This farm was homesteaded by his great-grandfather and remains still the "Lawler Farm." Bob attended the country school near the farm. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1936. He lived his entire life in the Rochester area.
Bob married Patricia "Pat" Shandley of Rochester on March 26, 1943 at Barksdale Airfield in Louisiana. Bob and Pat had nine children. Bob is survived by his children, Patty (Dick) Lohner of Parker Colorado, Bob (Paula) of Bemidji, MN, Mary Lynn (Mike) Marshall of Concord, California, Colleen (Ken) White of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David of Rochester, Mark of Lutsen, MN; 17 grandchildren, Sarah, Matt, Bill, Bob, Jean, Heather, Shawn, Craig, Anne, Molly, Kelly, Kevin, John, Meghan, Elle, Charlie and Eric, along with 14 great-grandchildren, sisters Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman of Eyota, sisters-in-law Margaret Lawler of Eyota and Mary B. Lawler of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, sons Bill and Jack and his daughter, Barb Wentink, and granddaughter Amy Wentink.
Bob had a life-long love of flying. He got his first pilot's license in 1938 at the Rochester Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp in 1941. He was based in England where he flew 72 combat missions as a B-26 Marauder pilot with the 9th Air force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful missions. On returning stateside in 1944 he became a B29 instructor pilot and flew over 300 hours. He was discharged from the active air reserve as a Captain. Bob continued his flying as a partner in Flying Foods Inc. for several years. He owned a J3 Piper Cub for many years and rented other aircraft as well at the area airstrips. He continued to fly into his 80's. In May of 2011 he celebrated his 93rd birthday by skydiving.
Bob has resided the past 12 years at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where along with many friendships he built a beautiful rock garden. He enjoyed flying, reading, rock gardening, watching sporting events, following politics, playing his keyboard, traveling, but most of all he loved visiting with his many friends often telling wonderful stories with his keen sense of humor and Irish wit.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. Francis and St. John Catholic Churches. He was a permanent member of the American Legion Post 92 and the VFW 1215. Bob was co-founder of the Electrical Assemblies Company in Rochester. He retired as a Farmer Insurance agent for 20 years.
Bob was a Befriender Volunteer at the Rochester State Hospital for many years. He was a weekly volunteer at Dorothy Day for 10 years. Earlier years he worked as a Christmas Anonymous volunteer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day Homeless Shelter. The family wishes to thank all of Dad's many family and friends who have been so loving and caring during the short illness of the past few months. All of you were a great gift to Dad during his final days. He treasured and enjoyed all of you.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary and photo from Macken Funeral Home.
Robert Baier Lawler, 94, of Rochester, died Friday, September 7, 2012 at his home at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where he had resided for 12 years. He had been cared for by his loving family and Seasons Hospice for the past four months.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30AM, Wednesday, September 12, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Tuesday evening at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church.
Bob was born April 23, 1918 on the family farm in Haverhill Township, Eyota, to Bill and Eva Lawler. This farm was homesteaded by his great-grandfather and remains still the "Lawler Farm." Bob attended the country school near the farm. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1936. He lived his entire life in the Rochester area.
Bob married Patricia "Pat" Shandley of Rochester on March 26, 1943 at Barksdale Airfield in Louisiana. Bob and Pat had nine children. Bob is survived by his children, Patty (Dick) Lohner of Parker Colorado, Bob (Paula) of Bemidji, MN, Mary Lynn (Mike) Marshall of Concord, California, Colleen (Ken) White of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David of Rochester, Mark of Lutsen, MN; 17 grandchildren, Sarah, Matt, Bill, Bob, Jean, Heather, Shawn, Craig, Anne, Molly, Kelly, Kevin, John, Meghan, Elle, Charlie and Eric, along with 14 great-grandchildren, sisters Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman of Eyota, sisters-in-law Margaret Lawler of Eyota and Mary B. Lawler of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, sons Bill and Jack and his daughter, Barb Wentink, and granddaughter Amy Wentink.
Bob had a life-long love of flying. He got his first pilot's license in 1938 at the Rochester Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp in 1941. He was based in England where he flew 72 combat missions as a B-26 Marauder pilot with the 9th Air force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful missions. On returning stateside in 1944 he became a B29 instructor pilot and flew over 300 hours. He was discharged from the active air reserve as a Captain. Bob continued his flying as a partner in Flying Foods Inc. for several years. He owned a J3 Piper Cub for many years and rented other aircraft as well at the area airstrips. He continued to fly into his 80's. In May of 2011 he celebrated his 93rd birthday by skydiving.
Bob has resided the past 12 years at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where along with many friendships he built a beautiful rock garden. He enjoyed flying, reading, rock gardening, watching sporting events, following politics, playing his keyboard, traveling, but most of all he loved visiting with his many friends often telling wonderful stories with his keen sense of humor and Irish wit.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. Francis and St. John Catholic Churches. He was a permanent member of the American Legion Post 92 and the VFW 1215. Bob was co-founder of the Electrical Assemblies Company in Rochester. He retired as a Farmer Insurance agent for 20 years.
Bob was a Befriender Volunteer at the Rochester State Hospital for many years. He was a weekly volunteer at Dorothy Day for 10 years. Earlier years he worked as a Christmas Anonymous volunteer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day Homeless Shelter. The family wishes to thank all of Dad's many family and friends who have been so loving and caring during the short illness of the past few months. All of you were a great gift to Dad during his final days. He treasured and enjoyed all of you.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary and photo from Macken Funeral Home.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30AM, Wednesday, September 12, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Tuesday evening at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church.
Bob was born April 23, 1918 on the family farm in Haverhill Township, Eyota, to Bill and Eva Lawler. This farm was homesteaded by his great-grandfather and remains still the "Lawler Farm." Bob attended the country school near the farm. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1936. He lived his entire life in the Rochester area.
Bob married Patricia "Pat" Shandley of Rochester on March 26, 1943 at Barksdale Airfield in Louisiana. Bob and Pat had nine children. Bob is survived by his children, Patty (Dick) Lohner of Parker Colorado, Bob (Paula) of Bemidji, MN, Mary Lynn (Mike) Marshall of Concord, California, Colleen (Ken) White of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David of Rochester, Mark of Lutsen, MN; 17 grandchildren, Sarah, Matt, Bill, Bob, Jean, Heather, Shawn, Craig, Anne, Molly, Kelly, Kevin, John, Meghan, Elle, Charlie and Eric, along with 14 great-grandchildren, sisters Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman of Eyota, sisters-in-law Margaret Lawler of Eyota and Mary B. Lawler of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, sons Bill and Jack and his daughter, Barb Wentink, and granddaughter Amy Wentink.
Bob had a life-long love of flying. He got his first pilot's license in 1938 at the Rochester Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp in 1941. He was based in England where he flew 72 combat missions as a B-26 Marauder pilot with the 9th Air force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful missions. On returning stateside in 1944 he became a B29 instructor pilot and flew over 300 hours. He was discharged from the active air reserve as a Captain. Bob continued his flying as a partner in Flying Foods Inc. for several years. He owned a J3 Piper Cub for many years and rented other aircraft as well at the area airstrips. He continued to fly into his 80's. In May of 2011 he celebrated his 93rd birthday by skydiving.
Bob has resided the past 12 years at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where along with many friendships he built a beautiful rock garden. He enjoyed flying, reading, rock gardening, watching sporting events, following politics, playing his keyboard, traveling, but most of all he loved visiting with his many friends often telling wonderful stories with his keen sense of humor and Irish wit.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. Francis and St. John Catholic Churches. He was a permanent member of the American Legion Post 92 and the VFW 1215. Bob was co-founder of the Electrical Assemblies Company in Rochester. He retired as a Farmer Insurance agent for 20 years.
Bob was a Befriender Volunteer at the Rochester State Hospital for many years. He was a weekly volunteer at Dorothy Day for 10 years. Earlier years he worked as a Christmas Anonymous volunteer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day Homeless Shelter. The family wishes to thank all of Dad's many family and friends who have been so loving and caring during the short illness of the past few months. All of you were a great gift to Dad during his final days. He treasured and enjoyed all of you.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary and photo from Macken Funeral Home.
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