H. Engle

H. Robert "Bob" Engle, age 75, of Willmar, died Sunday morning, November 1, at his home on Eagle Lake.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, November 5, at First Presbyterian Church in Willmar with Revs. Scott and Leann Thompson officiating. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar (www.petersonbrothers.com).
Bob was born on June 3, 1940, in Duluth, MN, to Howard R. and Audrey L. Engle. The family moved to Bemidji, MN in 1950 where Bob's dad was employed by Lakehead Pipeline Company. Bob graduated from Bemidji High School in 1958, and was involved in high school athletics. He played in three state basketball tournaments and two state baseball tournaments.
After high school, Bob attended Bemidji State University, graduating in 1962 with a B.S. degree in Business Education. He married Elaine C. Zitzer in June, 1963. Bob started a teaching career in Aurora, MN, Marshfield, WI, and came to Willmar in 1964. He obtained a Master's Degree from St. Cloud State University. Bob continued to teach at WSHS until his retirement in 1998.
Since 1998, Bob has battled non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocetic Leukemia, Diabetes, kidney disease, and a host of other ailments. After retirement, during cancer remission, Elaine and Bob traveled extensively going to such places as Australia, Cuba, Iceland, China, and an around-the-world trip in 2006. He enjoyed playing cards with a special group of guys, and especially playing golf when one summer he played over 100 rounds. Renal disease and dialysis brought an end to their travels.
Bob is survived by his loving wife and caregiver of 52 years, Elaine; his twin sons, Craig (Gina) of Minneapolis, and Todd (Amy) of Willmar; five grandchildren, Abigail, Jonah, Elijah, Lydia, and Emma; a brother, Richard (Iris) Engle of Texas; a brother-in-law, Lee (Diane) Zitzer of Arizona; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.