Robert “Bob” Roberts

Sherwood

Robert “Bob” Roberts, 83, of Sherwood, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at the Souris Valley Care Center, Velva.

He was born Oct. 29, 1940, in Rockford, Iowa, to Gilbert Harry Roberts and Ida Rose (Tumilson) Roberts. Bob was raised in Rockford and graduated from Rockford High School in 1959. He joined the U.S. Air Force and spent three years in Azores, Philippines, from 1960-1963. While in the Air Force, he worked in the mail room. Bob was married to Judy Wallbaum from 1965-1976. During their marriage, they had two children, Alan Dean and Angela Dawn.

He and Elaine Engh were married in Sherwood on Feb. 14, 1983, and spent the next 30 years enjoying each other’s companionship. Bob lost Elaine to cancer in 2013. Bob had a love for fishing, and time with his rod and tackle box. Hopefully he came home at the end of the day with a story to tell. Bob and Elaine spent much time traveling, enjoying the open road in their Camaro, and visiting every antique shop along the way. The ocean was their greatest retreat, that brought them much joy. They loved walking the beaches, flying kites, or just sitting together and listening to the sound of the ocean waves. They had many great adventures together.

Bob spent many years working for the United States Postal Service in Renton, WA. He was very passionate about his job, was dependable, and always went above and beyond for his customers. Bob was loved and valued by all those that were on his mail route. He was not only their mailman but was also a part of their family. Bob retired from the United States Postal Service in 1996. He and Elaine then moved to Sherwood, making it their home.

Bob’s nieces and nephews describe him as truly authentic in the way he loved and cared for others and also in the way he used his words when giving up front advice to them. He spoke up and didn’t hold back with what he was thinking. Due to his great sense of humor, he was always so smiley. Uncle Bob had a steady temperament and we always felt comfortable and safe around him when we were kids. He was so supportive and was there when we needed. He was a patient man, even though his patience was tested at times by his nieces and nephews, especially those that lived with him and Elaine from time to time in Renton. His nieces and nephews enjoyed it when he would come to Sherwood and visit. Fun was always to be had, and a lot of times it involved sports. You knew to never get between him, the Kansas City Chiefs or the Seattle Seahawks, and a big bowl of microwave popcorn! Uncle Bob was a very unique and humble person. What he believed is how he acted when it came to true love, being a friend, being wholesome, and being true to himself. He was a cantankerous and hardworking man. He epitomized the definition of love between a husband and wife. It took a pretty special man to perfectly complement a woman so full of zest, life, love, and just the right touch of crazy that Engh women all possess. Uncle Bob was just that man to our Aunt Elaine. Without needing words, his love for her was apparent, and a perfect example to all of us. He was loyal, steady, twinkling and true. He was our Uncle Bob. He was our Bobby.

Family: Bob is survived by his children, Alan (Teresa) Roberts, Louisville, Ky., and Angie (Mike) Mayer, Black Diamond, Wash.; granddaughters, Tiffany Boscola, Courtney Benjamin and Brittany Roberts; sisters-in-law, Kathy Nelson, Prior Lake, Minn., Polly (Larry) Christensen, Muskogee, Okla., Nettie (John) Daeley, Sherwood, Jennifer (Greg) Henderson, Carivale, Sask., Canada; brothers-in-law, Allan (Connie) Engh, Sherwood, Harvey Mosher, Riceville, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who will miss him dearly.

Bob was preceded in death by: his wife, Elaine (Engh) Roberts; parents, Ida and Gilbert Roberts; brother, Frank Delano Roberts; sister, Jane Marie (Mosher) Roberts; sister-in-law, Gwen Roberts; brother-in-law, Stanley Nelson; and nephew, Steven Nelson.

Burial: Sherwood Union Cemetery, Sherwood. A graveside service will be held in the spring.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com.

(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 22, 2024.