Owens, Robert W., Sr. 1916 - 2013

OWENS, SCHUETZ, ENGELDINGE, FAHERTY, WEIBECK, OFLANAGAN, REILLY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/29/2013 at 16:07:41

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert W. Owens, Sr. of Minneapolis, Minn. was held Saturday, July 13, 2013 and was private as per the family's request. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Robert died July 9, 2013, five years to the day after the death of his beloved wife, Joan Engeldinge Owens.

Robert W. Owens, Sr. was born Nov. 27, 1916, in Cresco, Iowa, the son of Lawrence J. and Clara (Schuetz) Owens.

Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism in 1939, entering the broadcast business at radio stations in Winona and Duluth. He served during WWII as a supply officer for the Army's 35th Evacuation Hospital, which landed at Normandy 16 days after D-Day.

After the war, he launched a long and successful career, retiring from sales at KSTP-TV in 1985. He was a fine writer who left his memoirs and treasure trove of letters to his family.

He was a consummate family man, whose devotion to his wife during her long battle with Alzheimer's Disease exemplified his love of family and caring nature. He supported his church and many charities in his long life, and was especially dedicated to supporting access to education for all students. To that end, he and Joan endowed two scholarships, one at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa; and one at the University of Minnesota.

In his retirement, he and Joan traveled the globe and were longtime members of the Edina Country Club, where he golfed into his nineties. He will be remembered especially for his intelligence and humor, warmth and generosity.

Robert is survived by his children: Marie Terese Owens, Elizabeth Owens (Douglass Faherty), Robert William Owens, Jr. (Maria Weibeck); grandchildren: Laura (Paul) O'Flanagan, Anna Owens Faherty and John (Jack) Owens Faherty, and Nicholas Weinbeck Owens; great-granddaughters: Eleanor Joan O'Flanagan and Rose Alyssa O'Flanagan; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joan; his parents; a sister: Dorothy Owens Reilly; and brothers: James Owens and Lawrence Joseph Owens, Jr.

Memorials preferred to the Robert and Joan Owens Scholarship fund at the University of Minnesota Foundation McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

Source: Cresco Times Plains Dealer Website