Bob Franson was a man of many talents, a true patriot, a few flaws and was passionate about everything he did ! He was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Mary (Edmundson) and Oscar Franson on September 11, 1947 . He had two older siblings, Richard and Judy, and the little family was broken as Mary passed when Bob was only nine months old. This was the first of challenges Bob encountered .

His father found love with Ruth Haaland, the mother that loved and raised Bob as her very own.  Later younger siblings, Mary, Cori, Ronny, Karl and Michael joined the family.  Sometimes they had struggles but it was a home filled with music and love!

In 1964, at age seventeen, Bob joined the United States Navy. He was sent to Vietnam and served three tours of duty there.  He served on a Patrol Craft Fast (PCF-79) They became known as Swift Boats, a shallow patrol craft that patrolled the most dangerous rivers and inlets.  These patrols helped Bob forge lifelong friends because of their times together; he loved the Swift Boat reunions for over 30 years.

Bob felt fortunate to also serve in many other areas of the world as well.  He served in Panama, Puerto Rico, Israel and the Mediterranean as well as being stationed stateside based out of Norfolk, Virginia.  Keeping the United States safe, he participated in maneuvers above the Arctic Circle (Blue Nose Award), on the Equator (Order of the Shellback) and hundreds of places in between.  Bob retired from the US Navy in 1992 as a Senior Master Chief.

He lived in California for several years and worked as a juvenile probation officer and in security, but he knew it was time to move on .  He chose Rapid City on the suggestion of a Navy friend.  Bob moved here in May 2001, right after a huge spring snowstorm!  He started to work on an AMC Javelin he fixed up over the years.  He had a heart to serve others and did so through volunteering for the Sun Catcher Therapeutic Riding Academy as a horse leader.   Bob was a NASCAR fan.  He joined Rushmore Lions, Counts of the Cobblestones, Dakota AMC and became a Woodchuck.  Music was another opportunity for him to enjoy fellowship with new friends as the soloist for the 7 ^th Cavalry Drum and Bugle Corps.

A phone call changed Bob's life in Rapid City.  After three years, he received a call from a gal named Robin.  After a few dates, they became best friends, and they grew to love each other .  December 29, 2005, before God, families, and friends, they vowed to love each other for their whole lives.   Together they went on several cruises and excursions overseas.  Cruising around the Black Hills in an AMC was always an adventure!

Bob enjoyed communicating with people all over the world with fellow ham radio operators using his call sign: KDØUSN.  He talked on the YL System weekdays and made contacts in all 50 states, many countries and even talked to RMS Queen Mary and the International Space Station.

B ob passed away peacefully at the dawn of April 21,2023 .  He was deeply loved and will not soon be forgotten.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and three siblings, Dick, Judy and Ronny.  Mourning his passing is his wife, Robin, sisters, Mary and Cori and brothers, Karl and Michael.  Bob leaves behind his two daughters, Anne and Jean.  He also leaves many other family members and friends that love him dearly.

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, April 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ on Wednesday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.  Burial will take place following the funeral with US Navy Honors at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.