Robert Allen McCullough’s life began 9-1-1935 in a tiny southern MN town of Taopi where his father John McCullough was diabetic causing his death when Bob was 4, leaving his wife, Marjorie, to raise Bob and his sister Marcelle. His mother married Carl Haag and lived in Elkton, MN where Bob & Sally grew up & went to school with brother Charlie & sister Darlene. Bob left home at 15 to live with McCullough uncles.
Bob joined the Army in 1955 & was stationed in Germany for 27 months as a combat engineer & patrolling the East/West German border, serving as NCO Sergeant First Class. He worked in Owatonna & Colorado after marrying Donna Newkirk, having the joy of raising his son John & daughter Michelle. Bob had a sharp mind and was employed as a Tool & Die Maker at Continental Machines for 28 years, retiring in 1997.
He rebuilt his life with optimism when Bob met Connie Whipps & began a long journey of love. They married 6-27-1970. They lived in a Burnsville apt. & then a home in Apple Valley. In 1977 they moved to their farmhouse by Lydia with a close relationship with Connie’s parents Loren & Roselyn Whipps.
Bob & Connie traveled to 48 states, often in their camper or motorhome. Their 10 th anniversary was in Hawaii. Bob went to Alaska 4 times including a drive home on the Alcan Highway. Two major Alaska hunting trips with John were mountain climbing for dall sheep & a 1998 river raft fly-in moose hunt where he brought home his treasured 62” moose antlers for the farm fireplace wall. Bob did Boundary Waters canoe trips & many MN deer hunting trips to Greer Lake campground with lifelong friends from Continental Machines.
Connie & Bob bought a hunting 1930’s log cabin in Superior Nat’l Forest’s boreal forest at Skibo. No electricity made the cabin a retreat of quiet & beauty with ATV and snowmobile adventure. Fishing & boating were enjoyed at a cabin by Annandale & later on a secluded lake bay of Whiteface Reservoir north of Duluth. He enjoyed guests & neighbors while playing Mexican Train Dominoes, always winning with the red train. These retreats were fun & restful & close to God’s nature he loved.
Bob & Connie’s faith gave him peace as he loved his relationship with Jesus, trusting God in his failing health in his last years, always singing Jesus Loves Me with Connie & praying. Bob was very patriotic & a loving husband & father. He was a respected & true friend, showing his loyalty & gentle spirit.
Robert’s life ended at age 80 on 4-15-2016 after a sweet reflection of thankfulness & love forever shared with his devoted wife. Robert’s funeral service celebrates his adventurous life, with his brother Charlie as pallbearer along with friends Bill Knuppel, Marvin Sass, Tom Esterl, Dick Haram & Wayne Whipps. Honorary Pallbearer will be Bill LindellVisitation will be Tuesday April 19, 4-7 pm at Ballard Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Prior Lake and also one hour prior the church service on Wednesday. A Celebration of Life service will be on Wednesday, April 20 at 11 am at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16150 Arcadia Ave, Prior Lake. Interment is at Concord Hill Cemetery. Bob is survived & missed by his loving wife Constance, son John of CA, daughter Michelle (Phil Barbera) McCullough of TX, 3 grandchildren, sister Marcelle Hodson, brother Charles (Diane) Haag & sister Darlene Eddy of AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents & brothers-in-law.
Robert’s life was full & enjoyed. He lived it well. May he rest now with the Lord forever.
