Robert 'Bob' James Witt — Rochester

Funeral services for Robert Witt will be held Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel. Ms. Jane Day will officiate. Interment, with military rites provided by the Dodge Center American Legion, will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center.

Mr. Witt, of Rochester, passed away in the early morning hours Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Rochester Methodist Hospital from complications of leukemia. Bob felt blessed to have been able to celebrate his 80th birthday with a large group of family and friends on April 20th.

Robert "Bob"James Witt was born April 18, 1933, in Dodge Center. He graduated from West Concord High School in 1951. In July of 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honored to serve his country in a forward based scout company in Korea. In 1971, he married Ruth (Toogood) Campion.A born salesperson, Bob spent 41 years in sales and sales management roles with E.B. Crabtree, Reynolds Wholesale and Minter-Weisman. He was also proud of the fact that he wore the hat of an independent businessman having owned and operated Huey's Cigar store in Rochester from 1968 through 1975.

Bob especially enjoyed hunting and fishing and was instrumental in helping organize the first Pheasants Forever chapter in Southern Minnesota. Bob was involved in various leadership capacities with the state and county chapters for over 25 years. He was also very active in the Rochester Korean War Veterans' Chapter and the American Legion post in Dodge Center. Bob was very involved in the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and the Osman Temple and Shrine Club. He spent many summer weekends with the Merry Medics Clowns, a group of Rochester Shrine Club members that used their participation in regional celebrations and parades to raise awareness for Shriners Children's hospitals. Bob also served on various boards at the United Methodist Church in Dodge Center and Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester.

In his retirement, he was passionate and tireless in his fundraising activities on behalf of the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army (Good Samaritan Health and Dental clinics), and Tee It Up For The Troops, an effort to support the families of returning veterans.Bob thrived in his retirement in meeting new people and making new friendships. Often these new friendships were made during his weekend ventures as a vendor at flea markets in southeast Minnesota and during the winter months in Mesa, Ariz. He personified the adage, "There are no strangers, only friends you have not met yet."

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Ruth; brother, Wayne (Barb) Witt; son, Tom (Julie) Witt, daughter, Sandy (Alan) Nordquist, and son, Kevin Witt; two stepdaughters, Pam (Chris) Christopherson, and Leanne (Steve) Andreasen; grandchildren, Joshua Witt, Annaliese Witt, Aleksandra Witt, Colin Nordquist, Sean Nordquist, Trevor Witt, Parker Witt, Hayden Witt, Kim Christopherson Losey (Steve Reinitz), Marcus (Gladys) Christopherson, Angela Andreasen (Brian Phillips), and Jennifer (Sean) Crosby; and 15 very special great-grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Amelia and Lawrence; sister, Shirley (Jack) Andrews, and a brother, Leonard (Edith) Witt.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, and Masonic Rites will be accorded at 7 p.m.

Online memorials are being welcomed and may be created at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com .