Robert E. Sturgeon, 71, Dickinson, died Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson, with his daughter and son at his side. Robert’s funeral service without a Mass will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Deacon Ron Keller presiding. Military honors will follow with the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Robert Everett Sturgeon, 71, of Dickinson was born September 7, 1942 in St. Paul, Minn., the son of Fran and Irene (Zahlen) Sturgeon. He grew up in South St. Paul, Minn. In 1963, he graduated from American High School in Chicago, Ill. In 1960, Bob enlisted in the United States Army where he honorably served until 1963.

Bob worked as a mechanic on 155mm Howitzer tanks and other tracked vehicles at Fort Sill, Okla. throughout his military career. On October 15, 1966, he married Bernadette Logosz and to this union two children were born: Carolyn and Michael. As a young married couple, they moved to Apple Valley, Minn. In December of 1984, the family moved to Clear Lake, Wis. at which time Bob continued his work in the United States Postal Service. In December of 1998, Bernie and Bob moved back to Dickinson to retire and to be closer to Bernie’s family.

He enjoyed football, science, the universe, future technology, and a large variety of knowledge that is gained from educational TV shows and documentaries. He also enjoyed visiting, playing cards, tinkering with vehicles, and working on home projects. Bob had a positive attitude and was a teacher by nature. He liked to help others and was truly a loving person. His family was most important to him and he was more concerned about others than himself.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Harkins, Rapid City, S.D.; his son, Michael Sturgeon, Bloomington, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Angie Chruszch, Belfield, Vickie (Ray) Karras, Dickinson, Patsy Kadrmas, Belfield, Marina (Hugh) Hlebechuk, Belfield, and Charlotte (Darryl) Heim, Dickinson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernadette on April 4, 2011; his parents, Fran and Irene Sturgeon; and brothers-in-law, Bill Chruszch, Jr. and Gary Kadrmas.