Obituary

Robert A. (Bob) Millner, 77, died on Tuesday (Jan. 25, 2011) at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, Minnesota.

Bob was born on Sept. 8, 1933, in Newton, to parents Carl and Winona Millner. He graduated from Newton High School in 1951, and married his wife Helen in September 1958. Bob had a 52-year career as a retail executive, first with Montgomery Ward, followed by 15 years with The Sharper Image. His career required relocation to many states, with each of their 19 moves providing valuable and interesting cultural experiences for his family. In 2003, Bob and Helen retired to Rochester to be near their children and grandchildren. Bob enjoyed wood-carving, landscaping, military history, and sports, with a special love for March Madness and the KU Jayhawks. Bob was known as a calm, kind, giving man with an epic sense of humor.

Bob is survived by his wife, Helen; two children, Chris Millner and Lisa (Nick) Ibarra, both of Rochester; three grandsons, Nicholas Ibarra of Grand Forks, and Christopher and Andrew Ibarra of Rochester; one older brother, Cork Millner of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and one sister, Sally (Jim) Reeves of Augusta. He was preceded in death by his parents, a younger brother and one granddaughter.

Cremation has been chosen. There will be a celebration of life for Bob at 2 p.m. Friday (Jan 29) at Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester. Memorial contributions are preferred to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and to Seasons Hospice in Rochester.