Robert B. Lawler
Tuesday, April 23, 1918
Date of Death:
Friday, September 7, 2012
Age:
94 years old
Visitation
Date: Tuesday September 11, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 am
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Wednesday September 12, 2012
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Memorial Mass
Date: Wednesday September 12, 2012
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Tuesday, April 23, 1918
Date of Death:
Friday, September 7, 2012
Age:
94 years old
Tuesday, April 23, 1918
Date of Death:
Friday, September 7, 2012
Age:
94 years old
Robert B. Lawler
Robert Baier Lawler, 94, of Rochester, died Friday, September 7, 2012 at his home at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where he had resided for 12 years. He had been cared for by his loving family and Seasons Hospice for the past four months.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30AM, Wednesday, September 12, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post 92. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Tuesday evening at Macken Funeral Home River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church.
Bob was born April 23, 1918 on the family farm in Haverhill Township, Eyota, to Bill and Eva Lawler. This farm was homesteaded by his great-grandfather and remains still the “Lawler Farm.” Bob attended the country school near the farm. He graduated from St. John’s High School in 1936. He lived his entire life in the Rochester area.
Bob married Patricia “Pat” Shandley of Rochester on March 26, 1943 at Barksdale Airfield in Louisiana. Bob and Pat had nine children. Bob is survived by his children, Patty (Dick) Lohner of Parker Colorado, Bob (Paula) of Bemidji, MN, Mary Lynn (Mike) Marshall of Concord, California, Colleen (Ken) White of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David of Rochester, Mark of Lutsen, MN; 17 grandchildren, Sarah, Matt, Bill, Bob, Jean, Heather, Shawn, Craig, Anne, Molly, Kelly, Kevin, John, Meghan, Elle, Charlie and Eric, along with 14 great-grandchildren, sisters Evie Cierzan of Rochester and Betty Bowman of Eyota, sisters-in-law Margaret Lawler of Eyota and Mary B. Lawler of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, sons Bill and Jack and his daughter, Barb Wentink, and granddaughter Amy Wentink.
Bob had a life-long love of flying. He got his first pilot’s license in 1938 at the Rochester Airport. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp in 1941. He was based in England where he flew 72 combat missions as a B-26 Marauder pilot with the 9th Air force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful missions. On returning stateside in 1944 he became a B29 instructor pilot and flew over 300 hours. He was discharged from the active air reserve as a Captain. Bob continued his flying as a partner in Flying Foods Inc. for several years. He owned a J3 Piper Cub for many years and rented other aircraft as well at the area airstrips. He continued to fly into his 80’s. In May of 2011 he celebrated his 93rd birthday by skydiving.
Bob has resided the past 12 years at Meadow Lakes Senior Living where along with many friendships he built a beautiful rock garden. He enjoyed flying, reading, rock gardening, watching sporting events, following politics, playing his keyboard, traveling, but most of all he loved visiting with his many friends often telling wonderful stories with his keen sense of humor and Irish wit.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. Francis and St. John Catholic Churches. He was a permanent member of the American Legion Post 92 and the VFW 1215. Bob was co-founder of the Electrical Assemblies Company in Rochester. He retired as a Farmer Insurance agent for 20 years.
Bob was a Befriender Volunteer at the Rochester State Hospital for many years. He was a weekly volunteer at Dorothy Day for 10 years. Earlier years he worked as a Christmas Anonymous volunteer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dorothy Day Homeless Shelter. The family wishes to thank all of Dad’s many family and friends who have been so loving and caring during the short illness of the past few months. All of you were a great gift to Dad during his final days. He treasured and enjoyed all of you.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Robert B. Lawler has received the following condolences.
With deepest sympathy. Bob was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Nancy (Rens) Miller
I'd have to say Bob was one of the nicest, goofiest, fun loving men I have had the pleasure of working with, Gloria and I will miss him. I had lunch with Bob and Steve Strauss about the beginning of July, as we left Beetles, Bob said "we'll have to do this again sometime--maybe..."
Larry Flicek
To the Lawler family I used to work at Meadow Lakes and had the pleasure of getting to know him. He was such a nice man and I would always see him with a smile on his face. He could always make me laugh. He was so caring and helpful to everyone. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. His memories will always be in your heart and never forgotten.
Colleen and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your brothers and sisters. Please contact me if you have time. I have moved to Michigan but will be in Rochester Thursday Aug 13th after 12pm. 612-578-6822 if you are still in town at this time I would love to see you.
Rebecca Arnold (Mueller)
Lawler family,
Bob and Pat and all of you were such a wonderful family to grow up with, be neighbors with, go to school with and hang out with. May the peace of the Lord be with all of you in this time and always!
our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time,
Jim & Pam Johnson
I am so sorry for your loss. May "the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) comfort and soothe your heart. His promises, found in the Holy Scriptures, can offer much hope. It assures us at John 5:28,29 that our loved ones will be remembered and brought back to life in the resurrection. Please allow God's Word to strengthen you and help you to endure this most difficult time.
The final journey on Angel's Wing
Watch over us, Uncle Bob, and enjoy the open arms of our family who welcome you home.
Love, Molly, Ken, Brigid and Jack
I have never met Mr. Lawler, but I know of him through his daughter, Colleen. I am so very sorry for the loss of your loved one, father, brother, or friend. I have heard so much about him and feel like I know him. I prayed for him each day when it was found that he was very sick. God has taken him to heaven, he will no longer have any pain or suffering. I know that his children cared for him each day for the past few months, I know they loved him dearly and it will be hard to not see his smiling face any longer. You have the greatest memories of him to help you through. GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU.
Love, a family friend,
Diana
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Bob when I worked at Meadow Lakes - he was such a gentleman in every meaning of the word. He always had a ready smile & a kind word for staff, residents & visitors alike. The garden he made was beautiful & many hours of his hard work will be enjoyed by everyone for years to come. His volunteering says a lot about the kind of man he was too. The world was a better place with Bob in it; we will all feel his absence. May he now rest peacefully.
I am so sorry to read about Bob. He was such a wonderful person. I used to work at Meadow Lakes for many years and got to know Bob very well. He even came to my wedding. I can still see him working out in his garden. He took such pride in it as he should. In fact, many people liked going out there to see it. I had even seen some cars drive by, and then turn around just to see it. He will be so deeply missed by so many people. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family. I only wish I could be there but I live in South Dakota now.
Rest in peace Bob! We love you!
I love the poem titled, "Safely Home"
"I am home in Heaven, dear friends, Oh, so happy and bright. There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last."
Bob was blessed with a full life, family and friends that loved and cherished him. He will be missed, but forever in their hearts.
Love, John and Margie Weidert
To all my cousins- you are in our prayers and I am so very sorry I will not be able to attend the services. Uncle Bob, really was an American hero, but more importantly, a great dad and family man. He always had a smile on his face and I always enjoyed his great Irish wit. There will be a great reunion for him in heaven with all his family- well lived Uncle Bob.
So sorry to hear the passing of a great man and wonderful friend. I thought the world of Bob Lawer! I had many, many enjoyable hours with him, and long time friend Ray Sheehan. He will be missed by all.
Doug Knutson
I'm very sorry for your loss of Bob.
Bob made many trips into our Farmer's Insurance office to pay a bill or just to tell a story. We all loved his visits.
Bob just had that personality that everyone loved, he was truly a gentleman.
WE were sorry to hear of Robert passing. His suffering has ended. Our sincere condolences to his family.
I am saddened to hear of Bob's passing, he was such a kind person. I really enjoyed running into him all these years and reminiscing about my dad. I was very fond of him and so was my dad Wally. My condolences to his family.
Bob was a good and great friend. We visited on many occasions when he came to visit Barbara Wentink at Madonna Towers. Our conversations were mostly about B-29's but I did manage to tell him about my house calls to the farm for Bill and Eve.
I am sad to hear the news of Bob's passing, my condolences to the Lawler family. My parents were at Meadow Lakes and Bob was beloved by all, his beautiful garden is a beautiful legacy to the kind and compassionate gentleman he was. I am so happy to have met Bob and enjoyed his company.
Rick Hibbing and family
We will miss Bob at Meadow Lakes. I am greatful for being able to enjoy him for the last 5 plus years. He was a great friend. Deb