Graveside Service
Fort Snelling National Cemetery-
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Email Details
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7601 34th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55450
Robert Berkey Wallin
June 13, 1927 — August 19, 2020
Robert Berkey Wallin
Robert Berkley Wallin.
Bob was born on June 13, 1927 in Evanston, IL, and passed away on August 19, 2020. He is preceded in death by wife, Mary Catherine (nee Hawley); parents, Fergus H. Wallin and Jane Louella (nee Olson); and brothers, William and Donald. He is survived by children, Craig (Jennifer), Catherine “Kate”, Mary Ellen (John) Dalman and Joseph (Beverly). He is also patriarch over eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
He was proud of his Scandinavian Viking heritage. His family lived in Minneapolis, MN where Bob attended Phillips Junior High and, after a family move to Wisconsin, he graduated Fond du Lac High School. He earned the coveted Eagle Scout designation with the Boy Scouts of America and became licensed solo pilot. Bob enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and proudly served as a Seaman on the aircraft carriers USS Bennington and USS Salerno Bay in the Pacific.
After WW2 he majored in Forest Products Marketing at the University of Minnesota. He became a leader at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and maintained those friendships throughout his life. He was U of M Homecoming Chairman in 1949, and was privileged to be recognized by the Alpha Zeta and Xi Sigma Pi Honor Societies as well as the Grey Friars. Upon Cum Laude graduation in 1950, he married Mary Catherine Hawley of Shawano, WI and they built a home in Minneapolis, moving to Minnetonka in 1963. The family enjoyed boating on Lake Minnetonka and a backyard pool with summertime activities for kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and friends. His career was with United States Plywood Corp, Champion International, and Georgia-Pacific during their amalgamations. He served as President of the Lumbermen’s Fraternity of Minneapolis and St. Paul (Hoo-Hoo), and warned a mini-MBA from the University of St. Thomas in 1976. He retired after 37 years of service and became a prudent financial investor.
Bob was an avid fisherman and bird hunter, enjoying outdoor times with his sons and friends. He was an excellent alpine skier and took his family on many ski vacations in the U.S. and Europe. Being an expert Bridge player gave him countless hours of enjoyment and he had an amazing collection of antique wood-working tools. With Mary Catherine, he travelled extensively and wintered on San Souci Beach in Waikiki, with family members paying regular visits. He was a dedicated husband, loving father, faithful friend, and was proud of his decades long friendship with Bill “W”. He was always thoughtful, kind and generous, and a true gentleman. After 93 years of life on Earth, he was taken by a stroke and has gone now to Perpetual Life.
A graveside service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN on Thursday, September 3 rd , 2020 at 10:00 AM.
Memorials preferred to Caring & Sharing Hands, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, or donor’s choice.
Tempus fugit, memento more.
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