Sunday, September 8, 2024
Robert F. “Bob” Havard, 81, of Albany, went to join our Lord Oct. 1, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 9 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with the Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B., officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date.
Robert Francis Havard was born March 24, 1942, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Robert and Cordelia Havard. He grew up in Salem, South Dakota, and attended 12 years at St. Mary’s Catholic School. He attended Dakota State College in Madison, South Dakota, then known as General Beadle State College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial arts. Bob met Connie Bousfield in college and the couple married Aug. 21, 1965, at St. Mary’s in Salem, South Dakota. Later, Bob earned a master’s degree in industrial education from Bemidji State University in Bemidji.
Robert taught industrial arts in Humboldt, South Dakota, then moved to Cosmos and in 1970, moved to Albany. He taught at the Albany Area Schools for 29 years, teaching mainly industrial arts and later social studies and physical education. After retiring from teaching, he was owner/operator of Havard Construction in Albany. Bob was proud of constructing the family home and two other homes. He did carpentry projects in the area for several years. Bob was very proud to teach many cabinet shops and carpentry owners in the area.
Bob grew up hunting pheasants and loved duck, goose and deer hunting. He also enjoyed open water and ice fishing. He could be found watching any football games and talking about playing ball in high school and college. He was an avid gardener and preserved many tomato products. Cooking was his favorite and making stir fry dishes and soups were his specialties. He also made banana bread and loved giving loaves as gifts. He was a great problem solver in building and remodeling and loved playing cards too.
He was a very optimistic person and a man of faith. He was a member of Seven Dolors Parish in Albany and served on the committee for the Senior Center in Albany. His favorite color was green and always said, “I want green.” Also, he was very fond of coffee and would enjoy several cups every day.
Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Connie Havard of Albany; children Karen (Grant) Jansons of Elk River, Kevin of Belle Plaine and Kristen (Kevin) Schauer of Glencoe; granddaughters, known as “grandgirls,” Ally Jansons, Paige Jansons, Katrina Simonette, Naomi Barnes, Harmony Jansons and Elsie Joy Schauer; siblings James (Sandy) Havard of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mary Havard of Minneapolis; and many nieces and nephews
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Jerry Havard, Ronald and Patricia Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite local charity.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
P-41-1B
