Bob was born January 3, l940 at home in Cohasset, MN to Clement and Beth O’Brien. He grew up and attended school in Cohasset and graduated from Grand Rapids, MN High School in 1958. He received his associate degree from Itasca Junior College in 1960 and then attended the University of Minnesota in the Electrical Engineering Program for four years. He married Carolyn Johnson on July 22, 1960.
In 1977 we started our business, Temperature Specialists, Inc, along with our son Tim in Anoka and St. Francis, MN. We have been manufacturing Temperature Sensors for many industries for 46 years.
His hobbies were many: camping, golfing, bowling, gardening, yard work, hunting, fishing, snorkeling, traveling and fixing everything – he had the magic touch! He enjoyed spending time with family, friends, his employees and anyone he met.
We loved traveling, camping in tents, then motorhomes and went to most of the states in the United States. We always enjoyed the mountains and finally purchased a cabin in Colorado near Fairplay, CO in l996. We love Grand Rapids and Pokegama Lake, all lakes in the area. We have traveled to Europe, Russia, England, Ireland, Cayman Island and St. Thomas. We took many trips to Hawaii, Maui being our favorite island. Traveled to Florida some in the winters via motorhome and then bought a condo in 2012 and met some wonderful friends and spent winters there ever since.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Carolyn of 63 years. Also survived by his son Tim and daughter-in-law Patrice. We have three grandsons, Devrin, Dillon (Carolyn) and Dawson and one granddaughter Daelyn, and three great-grandchildren. He is survived by brothers Clement (Darlene), Keith (Diane) and sister Kathy (Rod) South and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Clement and Beth O’Brien, brother Terry (Millie), sister Sharon and brother-in-law Leroy Gardner, sister Marilyn (Dale) Harthan, his in-laws Donald and Merna Johnson, brother-in-law Larry (Mary) Johnson and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Francis, MN on August 25, visitation at 10 am and service at 11 am. Following the service lunch will be served in the family center.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or to the Salvation Army, designate Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii for their disaster and we have visited this historic town many times.
Arrangements were made by Gearhart Anoka Funeral Home.
