Robert Harold ST. JOHN

ST JOHN, WILKINS, SHEPARD, CLAREY, TILCH, MCANICH, LUMBY, SAINT JOHN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/9/2013 at 12:36:20

March 12, 1934 ---- October 5, 2013

Robert Harold St. John, 79, of Rochester, passed away Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at his home after a lengthy illness. Bob was born March 12, 1934, in Belmond, Iowa, the son of Harold and Mary (Wilkins) St. John. Bob graduated from Pine Island High School and entered the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Center. He continued his education at the Naval Medical School in Bethesda, Md., where his special duties were Field Medical Tech and Radiological Tech. He served on numerous ships, including the USS Des Moines, USS Forrestal and USS Fulton. Bob served his country during the Korean War and Vietnam War, where he was attached to the 9th Motor Transport BN-3rd Marine Division of the US Marine Corps. Bob then served as a Hospital Corpsman at Camp Pendleton, Calif., retiring after 20 years of military service. He continued to work as an X-ray Tech in the California area for another 20 years.He married Susan Shepard on Sept. 19, 1954, and they later divorced.

He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, VFW, American Legion, Eagles Lodge and Elk's Lodge. He enjoyed golf and played fastpitch softball for over 40 years.On March 21, 2003, Bob married his best friend, Delma Clarey, who survives.

Bob leaves behind his children, Alecia (Richard) Tilch of Vista, Calif., Robyn McAnich of Las Vegas, Nev., Robert H. (Michelle) St. John, Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas and Kathryn St. John of Kaysville, Utah; eight grandchildren, Lisa, Amy, Sara, Heather, Holly, Jennifer, Jacob and Morgan; two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Sean; and one brother, Larry (Barbara) St. John, of San Diego, Calif. In addition, Bob is survived by his step-children, Lynn (Brenda) Clarey, Derek (Barbara) Clarey, Todd (Nancy) Clarey and Jay (Cara) Clarey all of Rochester, and Ann (Scott) Lumby of Chaska; 11 step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and a step-grandson.

A memorial service for Robert will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Christ United Methodist Church (400 Fifth Ave. S.W.), with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Thursday, Oct. 10. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Season's Hospice, 1696 Greenview Drive S.W., Rochester, MN 55902. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester, MN.

October 7, 2013
Rochester Post Bulletin - Minnesota