Robert Ferguson

Robert Bruce "Bob" Ferguson died Oct. 26, 2017, at age 92. Bob was born Dec. 17, 1924, to Dr. James and Emily Ferguson of St. Paul. The second of three children, he grew up on Benhill Road, attended Linwood School, and graduated from Cretin High School in 1943. Soon thereafter Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for training as a paratrooper.
During World War II, he was a member of the 466th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion of the 17th Airborne Division. He made 16 parachute jumps in total, with the last being a combat jump supporting the Allied effort to breach the Rhine River. That jump was part of the largest paratroop and glider assault of the war. After the Allied victory in Europe, Bob was transferred to the 101st Airborne and served occupation duty in Austria.
After attending the College of St. Thomas, he transferred to the University of Minnesota to study microbiology. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the U of M and worked at the University before taking a job at Pillsbury, where he had a long and successful career in research and development. His work contributed to innovation and ensured the safety of many popular food products.
While still a student at the U of M, he married and started his family, eventually settling in St. Paul's Macalester-Groveland neighborhood and raising six daughters. Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing, and camping, and he shared his love of the outdoors with his daughters. Together they hunted for fossils, agates, and mushrooms, and they enjoyed trips on the St. Croix River, to northern Minnesota, and to South Padre Island.
Bob remarried on July 28, 1984, and he and his wife, Micky, enjoyed more than thirty-one years together. Bob's family grew to include 11 more children and an ever-growing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob and Micky lived in Falcon Heights until 2011, and they enjoyed many days together at the nearby Minnesota State Fair, where a memorial bench now commemorates their lives. Together they also valued spending time with their children, grandchildren, and many friends.
Bob volunteered at St. Joseph's Home for Children in Minneapolis for many years, and in later years he was active in veterans organizations. He was also a long-time member of Corpus Christi Church in Roseville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Micky; brother Jim; sister-in-law Marlene; sister-in-law Charlotte; stepdaughter Molly Yentes; and his parents. He is survived by his brother Bill; daughters Susan Ferguson, Anne Ferguson, Mary Post, Jean Evers, Elizabeth Hessevick (Ken), and Patricia Ferguson; sister-in-law Sandy Guay (John); stepdaughters Ann Niedzielski (Ray), Kate Andersen (Gary), Sandi Healy-Johnson (Greg), Susan Dolan (Dan), Patty Nielson (Brett Laughlin), and Linda Healy (Randy Anderson); stepsons John Healy (Jackie), Steve Healy (Patty), Peter Healy, and Nick Healy (Helen); and son-in-law Cliff Yentes (Debby).
He is also survived by 27 grandchildren, including Terry Post; Christopher Post; Sara Post; Lauren Evers; Nathaniel Hessevick; Sofia Hessevick; Jeff Yentes (Cassie); Dan Yentes (Kristin); Tom Niedzielski; Ben Niedzielski; Paul Andersen (Casey); Carly Anderson (Nate); Bridgette Healy; John Healy (Catherine); Jane Healy; Michelle Simonsen (Peter); Alex Healy; Lewis Johnson (Ashley); Avery Johnson; Dan Dolan; Caitlin Nielson; Sarah Nielson; Amy Nielson; Madeline Dubois; Molly Dubois; Harrison Healy; and Erin Healy. Survivors also include great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Memorials preferred to St. Joseph's Home for Children, The Wounded Warrior Project, or The Pillars Hospice in Oakdale.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, at Bradshaw Funeral Home in White Bear Lake (4600 Greenhaven Dr.), and one hour prior to the funeral service, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi (900 Stillwater Rd.). A luncheon will follow the service, with family burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery.
Bob was a brave and humble person and a selfless father and friend. He suggested his obituary should read as follows: As a young man, Bob wished to have a wonderful lady in his life. His wish was granted well before he passed on.