Gerald H Robb

Jerry Robb, 89, passed away on April 18, 2024 in Mounds View, MN. He was the youngest of five children and was born on September 20th, 1934, in Winona, MN to parents Clarence and Minnie (Rother) Robb. Jerry was a beloved husband to his late wife Cynthia Kolb-Robb, and a cherished father to his daughter Sabrina Robb. He lived a full and active life and will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

Jerry grew up on the family farm near Winona, MN. He attended a one-room rural school until 7th grade. In his youth he was very involved with 4-H and helped his dad and neighbors on their farms. In High School he was a wrestler and Chapter President of the Future Farmers of America. He enlisted in the Army in 1954, and proudly served his country as a paratrooper and tank commander with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his military service, he had a long and successful career as a salesman with Structural Wood Corporation of St. Paul, MN.

He always had a special place in his heart for children, cats, organ music, and the symphony, and he was a good listener. 

In his free time Jerry enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time at their cabin in Shell Lake, Wi, collecting unique antiques, tinkering, fixing things, all sorts of carpentry and construction projects and spending time with his family and friends. Jerry was an avid and accomplished bowler. He was a very involved member of the United Methodist Church of Fridley, MN, where, even after retirement, he maintained the mechanical systems for the church. Among many other things, Jerry was a member of the Elks club, the American Legion, and the Audubon Society. 

Some of Jerry’s more memorable events included sky diving on his 80th birthday, caribou hunting near Hudson’s Bay, Ontario on his 76th birthday, fishing with his nephews on Lake Michigan and in Canada, hunting wild boar and axis deer in Florida, snowmobiling, moose hunting on Newfoundland Island, tarpon fishing near Key West, Florida, pheasant hunting, and annual deer hunting trips to northern Minnesota. There were several vacations to Europe, Mexico, and various locations around the U.S.

An especially memorable hunting trip to Idaho took place not long after having a pacemaker installed in the right side of his chest. Because he could no longer shoot a gun off his right shoulder, he shot an elk left-handed at about 150 yards. Quite an accomplishment.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Clearence and Minnie (Rother) Robb, and his siblings W. Gordon Robb, Roger Robb, Blanche Lanik (Robb), Virginia Mowatt (Robb) and Stepson John Berg. Jerry is survived by his daughter Sabrina Robb, Stepdaughter Laura Garaffa (John), Daughter-in-Law Dareth Berg, Grandchildren Andrea Schoeberl (Thomas), Joshua Munchow, Jennifer Berg (Andy Merten), Mallory Caswell (Brad), Taylor Berg (Mark Sinclair) Gabby Garaffa, nine Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 13th, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Fridley United Methodist Church, 680 Mississippi St. NE, Fridley, MN 55432, 763-571-1526. A light luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, MN.

 Grace Hospice provided wonderful care and support to Jerry and his family during Jerry’s final days. Contributions in memory of Jerry can be made to Grace Hospice, 1015 4th Ave. North, Suite 206, Minneapolis, MN 55405.