Robert “Bob” Dunham
Tuesday, December 5, 1944
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Age:
79 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday January 26, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church [ view map ]
Memorial Mass
Date: Friday January 26, 2024
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Preston [ view map ]
Tuesday, December 5, 1944
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Age:
79 years old
Tuesday, December 5, 1944
Date of Death:
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Age:
79 years old
Robert “Bob” Dunham
Robert John “Bob” Dunham, 79, died on Jan. 3, 2024, after a 5-year battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Parkinson’s disease. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on December 5, 1944, to Jack and Irene (Teff) Dunham.
Bob graduated from LaCrosse Aquinas High School in 1962 where he was All-State in football and basketball and named to the State baseball All-Tournament team as a senior. He was inducted into their Hall of fame in 2006. He attended the University of Montana. He served in the Army for 2 years as a Sergeant in the 101st Airborne division including 13 months in the Vietnam War. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and played professional baseball for their organization for 4 years. One year under manager Sparky Anderson and another Don Zimmer as a coach. After his baseball career ended, he moved to Austin, MN and was employed by Hormel Foods and he met Cynthia “Cindy” (Christopherson) Dunham. They were married on April 7th, 1973, at Queen of Angels Church in Austin MN. In 1987 they moved to Rochester with their family where he worked in telecommunications for the next 30 years. Cindy was the love of his life. Together, they celebrated 50 years of marriage in April of 2023.
Bob loved watching baseball, basketball, football, and golf, all the sports he loved playing. He was a Green Bay Packer fan and knew almost every baseball stat out there including his own. He loved telling stories about growing up on the river, different games he played in, or things going on in the news. He was a strong advocate for Veterans and helped organize and start the Rochester chapter of Tee It Up for the Troops. But, most important to him was his family. Watching his kids and grandkids being competitive. If you ask anyone his family came first and he was not afraid to tell you that either.
He is survived by his wife Cindy, their 3 children Robert John (Rob) Dunham Jr. of Rochester MN, Douglas Daniel (Doug) Dunham of Pine Island MN, and Karissa Katherine Dunham (Mark Hargrove) of Blaine MN. His 5 Grandchildren Peyton and Parker Dunham, Kyra, Kadyn, and Baron Loehr. His brothers, Paul (Linda) Dunham of Onalaska, and Joe (Cecilia) Dunham of La Crosse, sisters Jacqueline Tischer of North Canton, OH, Helen Hall of La Crosse, Carole (Ken) Borsheim of La Crosse, and Susan (Bob) Kjos of La Crosse. He is also survived by brother and sister-in-law’s Candy Dunham of Onalaska Wi, Ron Nelson of Rochester MN, Randal (Nancy) Christopherson of Austin, and Shirley Hemingway of Rochester MN and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jerry, Jim and Dan Dunham, sisters-in-law Marilyn, Betty Dunham, Judy Nelson, brother-in-law John Tischer, Herbert (Bud) Hall, Jerry Swank, and Dick Hemingway, mother and father-in-law, Alvin “Cy” (Alpha) Christopherson.
Visitation will be held at 10:00am on Friday January 26th, 2024 at Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester followed by the Memorial Mass at 11:00am. A light lunch will follow. Burial will be at MN State Veterans Cemetery, Preston, MN.
Memorials are preferred to MN Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 28 (PO Box 6226 Rochester, MN 55903) or Aquinas Catholic School Foundation.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Robert “Bob” Dunham has received the following condolences.
I was a classmate of Rob and was very sorry to hear of his passing. I enjoyed many good times with him. Both he and his family will be in our prayers. In his memory Carol and I have made a donation to Aquinas High School.
My Uncle Bob was one-in-a-million! The pride and the love that he had for his family was evident every day! Bob had friends all over the place and he had such strong character and work ethic! I will miss him tremendously! Rest in peace, Bob! ??
I offer my deepest sympathy and prayerful respect to the family of Robert Dunham. Robert and I went through 12 years of schooling from St. James grade school to Aquinas high school as fellow northsiders graduating in 1962. Although he was a fine athelite my task was to sit in the bleachers and cheer the team on. He and his family were well know and respected at St. James Catholic Church for all of the years that I lived in La Crosse. May the peace of God bring a sense of the knowledge that he now has gained the greatest fulfillment of life's goals.
Sincerely,
Patrick Shay and Family
Rest in Peace Mr. Dunham. I will miss your stories, your awesome personality, and our hilarious conversations. It was an honor to get to know you and Cindy. I was always so touched that you would ask about my family and that you thought of us. You are greatly missed. Cindy, we already miss your visits. There are lots of prayers over you and yours, hang in there. -Shannon Mullaney
Dear Cindy and family,
So sorry to read of Bob's longtime illness and death. I have fond memories, Cindy, of you and I spending time on bleachers when Bob and John played fastpitch.
Sincerely,
Dixie
Cindy and family....I am so very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My sympathies to you and your family. I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet him. What a wonderful man! Hugs to you Cindy!
Dear Cindy
Dianne I want to offer our sincere sympathies at your loss of a great guy. I always saw a lot of you and Bob life goes on Cindy. I’ve been there. God bless you and your family Wendell Pittenger
PS I was born in Galesville 1936 how far from lacrosse
Dear Cindy and family:
Please know my prayers are with you at this sad time with the loss of Bob. It is so difficult to lose a loved one. May he rest in peace.
Love, Diane
My deepest condolences go out to Bob's wife Cindy, their children, grandchildren and all of their extended family. I am truly saddened by your loss!
Bob was one of my favorite people. He was kind, giving, had a great sense of humor, and always had an infectious smile on his face. Bob taught me many valuable lessons about business and was of of my favorite golfing partners, ever. I fondly recall how patient he was with me when I was just starting to get serious about the game. In fact, I still use some golf shots today that he taught me many years ago.
But more importantly, I was impressed by how proud Bob was of his family. On a visit with Bob a few years ago, he couldn't stop talking about his children and grandchildren, plus all their accomplishments.
Cindy and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Sincerely,
Glenn Davis
I am sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I will always remember his athletic endeavors and the success he had. He always had a smile on his face.i salute him and appreciate his service to our nation.?? I send my condolences to the family and my prayers. May he rest in peace!
Doug and family,
So sorry to hear of passing of your Dad.
I know you spent a lot of time with him,as you spoke about him often
He was a tough man and fought hard for his family. He loved Cindy, children and precious ❤️ grandchildren.
He is in God's hands and has no more pain and is healthy again. He's enjoying seeing family that has gone before him.
He was loved by many ❤️
My deepest sympathy and love ❤️ for you and family.
RIP Bob ?
My deepest condolences to the Dunham family. Although I left the telecommunications industry for academe over 30 years ago, I still recall Bob’s smile and great manner. May your memories bring you solace and the assurance of eternal reunion bring you peace.
Sympathy to the Dunham family. Losing a parent, husband is very difficult for family members. Cherish the fond moments that you have of Bob.
Bob led a great life! What a good and faithful child! I'm sure his lord and savior is welcoming him home wirh a huge smile and open arms. Well Done young man!