Robert 'Bob' A. Mentzer
Robert ‘Bob’ A. Mentzer, 86, of Aberdeen, SD, died Friday, November 22, 2024, at Bethesda Home in Aberdeen.
Robert ‘Bob’ A. Mentzer was born in Madison, MN September 4, 1938, to Mark and Kathryn (Kessler) Mentzer. He was baptized at St. Michael’s Catholic Church and attended school at St Michael’s School, both in Madison. In 1950, he moved to Aberdeen, SD with his parents and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Central High School. He attended North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND and graduated with a printing degree in 1959. Following graduation he went to work for News Printing Co. in Aberdeen.
In 1970 Bob married his first wife and moved to Orange, CA, where they had a son, Kevin. Bob worked for Associated Typographers in Anaheim, CA. In 1971 they moved to Minot, ND and Bob purchased Gross Printing Company. When the marriage ended, Bob followed his ex-wife and son back to Aberdeen in 1974 so he could continue to be part of his son’s life. He went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad, then Burlington Northern Railroad, then Soo Line Railroad and finally, CP Rail System. He traveled extensively in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa for his jobs with those railroads. Health problems forced an early retirement from the railroad.
Bob married Joyce Schlepp on September 8,1983 in Aberdeen and they remained happily married until his passing on Nov. 22nd.
Bob enjoyed target shooting, served as President and also Vice President for the Aberdeen Handgunners Club and also started a cowboy action shooting club in Aberdeen called Prairie Posse. He participated in shooting matches locally and around a three-state area. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Joyce, visiting family, and tried to spend some time during the winter months in places where it was warm. Bob was secretary of the Melgaard East Condominium Phase II. He was a former member of the Elks Lodge in Aberdeen, Kiwanis Club in Minot, ND, Sportsman’s Club of Brown County, Milwaukee Road Morse Club in Aberdeen, and was a long time member of the Transportation Communications Union.
Survivors include his wife Joyce; son Kevin (Sharon), Sartell, MN; three stepdaughters, Sandy Lorenz, Beaver City, NE; Rita Boynton, Aberdeen; Sheila (Mike) Noble, Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Norah, Alexis, and Isaac Mentzer; step-grandchildren: Devon Suedmeier, Dezerae (Phil) Hewitt, Adam Suedmeier, Justin (Alley) Boynton, Dale (Sarah) Boynton, Zac Noble and Tailor Noble; great-grandchildren: Will Boynton, Paisley Boynton, Blake Boynton, Makayla Hewitt, and Rhys Hewitt.
He is proceeded in death by both parents and sister Jeanne (Jim) Reidinger.