Robert Spear

Robert Eugene “Bob” Spear, 80 years old, of St. Paul Park, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2018 with his loving family at his side. Bob was born on May 5, 1937 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Eugene and Winnifred (Rossler) Spear, the eldest of eight siblings. Growing up in the Midway, an Irish Catholic neighborhood, Bob attended Woodrow Wilson High School.

He met Jacqueline Kozlowski at The Torch, a dance hall in Minneapolis in 1959. They united in marriage on June 4, 1960. Bob and Jackie built their one and only home in St. Paul Park where they raised their three daughters: Mary, Beverly and Joan. In the neighborhood, Bob was a popular father figure to many, a surrogate Dad to those who needed one.

Bob spent over 48 years as a Maintenance Engineer at Land O' Lakes, eventually retiring as one of the longest-tenured employees in the history of the company.

He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed duck, goose, and turkey hunting with his wife, his brother Dan or a friend. One of his three loyal dogs, the Mollies, was never far behind. Bob also loved fishing for walleye on Fox Lake at the Kozlowski family cabin as well as casting for a monster Muskie on Leech Lake with his nephew, Jason. He was a true cold weather Minnesotan who enjoyed snowmobiling and downhill skiing.

Bob loved to travel all over North America. He whisked Jackie away to explore the glaciers in Alaska, the volcanoes of Hawaii, the beaches of Mexico, and the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. He even convinced Jackie to hop on the back of his motorcycle; they rode up and down the east coast together for two weeks of a whim..zee.zee.zee..ical adventure!

He loved life, and had a profound appreciation for the arts and music, especially jazz. He liked to show off his vast understanding of history and rarely missed an opportunity to share his knowledge with those around him. He was loyal to friends and family and looked forward to cheering on his grandchildren at their many sporting events.

Bob was loving, kind-hearted, witty, funny, resourceful and intelligent. He was proud and confident in his abilities, steadfast in his ethics and morals. He was truly a great man who will be truly missed.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jacqueline, daughters Mary (Dean Renford) Spear, Beverly Mears, Joan (Randy) Klossner; grandchildren Mark (Amber) Peters, Robert (Donnie) Peters, Katie (Scott Bostrom) Kronholm, Kevin Kronholm, Nathan and Nicholas Renford, Cody (Megan) Klossner, Lauren (Sawyer McCann) Klossner, Shady Salamon,; great grandchildren Aubrey, Garrett and Bryce; siblings Jean (John) Ertz, Tom (Linda) Spear, Kathy (Bob) Johnson, Jim (Linda) Spear, Bill (Cindy) Spear, Mary Bangle, Dan (Kim) Spear; numerous family and friends.  Preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Winnifred; in-laws, Bonnie Spear and Duane Bangle.

Visitation 4-8 PM Wednesday, April 11 at Kok Funeral Home (7676 80th St. S. Cottage Grove).

Mass of Christian Burial, 11 AM, Thursday, April 12 at The Church of St. Rita (8694 80th St. S. Cottage Grove) Visitation also available one hour prior to Mass, held at church.

Private interment to be held at a later date at Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights.