Robert Winkler

Robert James Winkler, age 90, lifelong resident of the Minneapolis area, passed away peacefully at his home on October 4, 2024, succumbing to a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Reaching the age of 90 was his goal and Robert (Bob) did not allow any illness to stand in the way of achieving that.

Bob was born on July 22, 1934, in Minneapolis to parents Edward and Frances (Sepple) Winkler. He spent his boyhood years learning to hunt and fish from his father, learning how to use his hands to build and carve, and at times getting into more than a little boyish mischief. Bob graduated from North High School showing skill in math and gymnastics and where he met his wife of 40 years, Barbara Jean Anderson of rival Patrick Henry High School. They eventually moved to Golden Valley where they raised four daughters: Dawn, Diane, Denise, and Debra.

Bob worked for many years as a builder, cabinetmaker, and finish carpenter and was a proud member of The Carpenters and Joiners Union. He had a great love of being outdoors and hunting in Minnesota with his brother-in-law Jack, other hunting buddies, and for many of those years with his father, Ed. Bob was also an avid fisherman, always knew when the crappies were biting and where the bass were hiding.

Following retirement and the early death of Barbara, Bob threw his enjoyment of building and life-long appreciation of aeronautics and flying into building detailed remote-controlled model airplanes. He became a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and learned all he could about the hobby. Sadly, illness prevented Bob from flying those planes, but he donated them to a local flying club to be used to teach young enthusiasts how to fly. Bob also enjoyed trips to the casinos for pre-dawn breakfasts with his sons-in-law, and where he always seemed to sniff out the hot slot machines. He was also an excellent cook and green thumb gardener who grew more tomatoes than he knew what to do with. His secret? "Just throw some fertilizer on them once in a while ..."

Bob is survived by daughters: Dawn (Ross) Glynn, Diane (Michael) Levin, and Denise (Nour-Eddine) Aboussir; seven grandchildren: Connor Glynn, Taryn (Connor) Wand, James Levin, Andy Levin, Joe Levin, Nadia (Joe) Martyn, and Leila (Michael) Berg; three great-grandchildren: George Martyn, Evelyn Martyn, and Chase Wand. Bob is also survived by brother-in-law Wayne Anderson, many loved nieces and nephews, and his patient and kind friends who helped Bob greatly in his later years.

Bob was preceded in death by wife Barbara, daughter Debra, and sisters Rita Blevins and Shirley Smiles.

Special thanks to North Memorial Hospice Care, specifically to Wilder, Shelby, and Jennifer for their compassionate support and care, and calm advice during Bob's late illness.

At Bob's request, a private family service was held October 10, 2024, with interment at Gethsemane Cemetery in New Hope.