Robert Persson

Robert "Bob" Persson was born in Minneapolis on July 25, 1946, the firstborn of Timar & Dorothy Mosely Persson. He attended Portland Junior High for one year, where he met his future wife, Judy, in eighth grade. He spent most of his high school years at North High School where he played varsity football and was involved in boxing and drama. After high school, he attended Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota, where he studied Chemistry. After college, he was hired by Honeywell in 1967, where he started with the company as a chemical technician. His career with Honeywell spanned for four decades where it eventually led him to his role as Manager for Business and Commuter Aviation Applications. Bob and Judy shared their love of horses. Over the years they showed Arabians, loved trail rides that eventually included mules and backpacking through the Arizona foothills. They explored the outdoors together including hunting for elk and deer. Bob shared his love for the outdoors with all his grandchildren. He took each of his grandchildren to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota to share his knowledge and join in the adventure. He retired in 2006 and soon afterward he and Judy moved to Safford, Arizona, where they helped found Our Savior Lutheran Church. For many years he volunteered at the American Legion, helping to cook turkey and ham dinners for hundreds of people in a day, as well as a board member and volunteer at Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry food shelf. He was an ordained Lutheran pastor who was well-liked and respected by everyone who knew him. Bob was a horseman, writer, animal lover, outdoorsman, preacher, storyteller, vintner and well-traveled, philosophical man. Bob is survived by his wife Judy and their children Christina and Tony, their spouses Doug and Cami; his grandchildren Andrew, Charlie, Luc, Nate, Jackson, and Anna; as well as his sisters Betty, Mary, and Kristen. A viewing will be held this Saturday, February 15, 2020, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel.