Dr. Robert Lysne Sheridan — Rochester
Robert Lysne Sheridan was born to Fay and Breta Lysne Sheridan on April 26, 1922, in Saint Charles. He passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Rochester.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary of 60 years of marriage; a son, Von Steven Sheridan (Lori), and two grandchildren, Andrew J. of White Bear Lake, and Caitlyn E. of Rochester; a daughter, Elizabeth Sheridan Rammer (John) of Fridley; and a nephew and nieces of the Seattle area, and Texas.
After graduation from St. Charles High School, he attended Rochester Junior College and the University of Minnesota. He enlisted in the Army Air Force on Oct. 16, 1942, and was trained as a Norden Bombsight and Honeywell Automatic Pilot Technician at Midland Air Force Base in Texas. He served more than three years at the Army Air Force Bombardier School in Big Spring, Texas. He received an honorable discharge on Jan. 6, 1946.
He returned to the University of Minnesota and in September 1946, he entered the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree in March 1950. He took the state boards and joined his father as a third-generation optometrist who by that time, had moved his practice from St. Charles to Rochester. In 1903, his grandfather lobbied the Minnesota State Legislature for the passage of the first optometry law in the United States. Father and son practiced together until Dr. Fay retired in the mid-1950s. Dr. Robert Sheridan and Dr. J.D. Berglund joined their practices and built their new offices at 307 East Center Street.
Dr. Sheridan was a member of the American Optometric Association, the Minnesota Optometric Association, the Southeastern Optometric Society, and served seven years on the Minnesota State Board of Optometry, 1966-1973. He was recognized as a 50-year member of both the AOA and the MOA. After 44 years of practice, Dr. Sheridan retired in June, 1994.
On June 22, 1952, he married Mary Elizabeth Von Fossen at the First Presbyterian Church of Macomb, Ill., and they have lived in Rochester all of their married life.
Dr. Sheridan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rochester for more than 50 years, during which time he served two terms as an elder, Chairman of the Building and Grounds committee, and ushered for 50 years. He was a 50-plus-year member of the Rotary Club, where he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship; and a member of the Rochester Toastmasters Club; the Samaritan Bethany Foundation and Development Committee; The American Legion; Quarry Hill Nature Center; Olmsted History Center; and the Audubon Society. Bob was a charter member of the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Committee (1995 and continuing to present) and was a key instigator to get the Memorial designed and built.
Whitewater State Park was a place dear to him as a youth with many hours enjoyed on family hikes and picnics. He shared this special place with his wife, children and grandchildren. His lifelong love of airplanes began at an early age. He built model airplanes and won a trip to the National Model Airplane Contest in Chicago in 1940. This plane, a free-flight gas model airplane, and a glider, are on display in the American Academy of Model Aeronautics Museum in Muncie, Ind. He continued his interest by visiting aircraft museums, building models, and attending meetings and air shows around the country. His other interests were traveling, reading, woodworking, and do-it-yourself projects, including building two boats, and furniture, deck and dock for the cabin. He was an avid pheasant hunter in his younger years, enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, gardening, golf, skiing, ornithology, and photography. The family cabin on Caribou Lake near the Boundary Waters in Minnesota provided many years of enjoyment.
Those whose lives have been touched by Bob will remember his devotion to God, family, and community. He will be remembered for his whistling when working, and enjoying leisure activities, his smile when talking with you and making you feel special, and his continued interest in the well-being of his lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lavinia, many cousins, and good friends.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at First Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to services at the church Monday.
Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church or to the Soldiers Field Veteran's Memorial; please designate "Walk/Wall of Remembrance."
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Pl. N.W., Rochester MN 55901. 507-289-3600.