Robert Russell Kearin was born on June 6, 1945 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to parents William and Ruth (Goldthorpe) Kearin. He graduated from Orono High school in 1963 and Dunwoody Institute in 1965 for drafting. Bob served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969. He earned high scorer on prop test during basic training, became an expert rifleman and awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Georgette Gutzmer, on June 25, 1966 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Lake, MN just after completing his basic training at Fort Leonardwood, MO and before his specialized training in Fort Gordon, GA. Together they moved to Anchorage Alaska for 2 years where they met several life-long friends. Before Bob’s honorary discharge, they were stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
On February 19, 1971 his life became richer as Kristin DeeAnn was born here in MN. Then a precious son, Kurtis Will, was born on November 19, 1973 while living in Wisconsin. Over the next several years the family of four lived in Rochester and Burlington, WI as well as Sioux City and Hampton, IA before settling back in MN. Over the next 33 years Bob enjoyed working at Fabcon, Inc. with many of those years as the corporate production scheduler.
While living in Prior Lake, Bob was the treasurer of the Scott County Sportsman’s Club and very involved with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. In 1985 he ran for and was awarded the position of Spring Lake Township Supervisor. After moving to Jordan in 1986, the family joined Hope Lutheran Church. In 1999 Bob and Georgette built their dream home along Brewery Creek in Belle Plaine, MN. He loved taking care of the yard, planting wildflowers, and feeding the birds.
Bob enjoyed bowling, fishing and spending time on the lake, playing cards and games, traveling, watching sports and many hours “putzing in the garage”. But above his hobbies, Bob’s greatest joy was being with his family, especially his grandkids. Traveling to see family throughout the US, or just getting together for a barbecue were his most memorable moments.
After a courageous five-year battle with prostate cancer, Bob passed into the loving arms of Jesus. He died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Bob was preceded in death by his dad, William Kearin in 2008 and his infant brother in 1951.
Forever loved, Bob will be deeply missed by his wife of 45 ½ years, Georgette Leona (Gutzmer) Kearin of Belle Plaine, MN; daughter Kristin (Kraig) Anderson of North Royalton, OH; son Kurt (Stacey) Kearin of Blaine, MN; grand-children Tim and Michael Anderson of North Royalton, OH and Ellie and Will Kearin of Blaine, MN; brothers David (Gay) Kearin of Maple Plain, MN and Gary (Barb) Kearin of Victoria, MN; sister Marcia (Steve) Engstrand of Monticello, MN; mother Ruth (Goldthorpe) Kearin of Monticello, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many other loving family members and friends.
Visitation will be Monday, February 27, 2012 from 4-7 p.m. at the Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 104 West First Street, Jordan and one hour prior to the service at church. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, February 28 at 10 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, Jordan with the Jordan Honor Guard providing honors. Pastor Steven Thompson will officiate. Bob will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling National Cemetery Volunteer Rifle Squad.
Pallbearers are his brothers David and Gary Kearin; son, Kurt Kearin; son-in-law Kraig Anderson, grandsons Tim and Michael Anderson and friends, Doug Swanstrom and Doug McNeely.
Memorials preferred to Prostate Cancer Foundation, donations can be made online at www.pcf.org/bobkearin.
