Robert “Bob” Young
The public Mass of the Christian burial for Robert “Bob” Young of Wadena, was celebrated on Saturday, March 6, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena.
On Saturday, February 27, 2021, Robert (Bob) Joseph Young, lifelong resident of Wadena, MN, passed away suddenly of natural causes at the age of 75. He was born at Wesley Hospital in Wadena on January 4, 1946 to parents, Donald F. Young and Gladys (McDowell) Young. After eight years at St. Ann’s School, Bob attended Wadena High School, graduating in 1964. Shortly after high school he was drafted into the United States Army on July 5, 1966. Bob graduated from the US Army Intelligence school as an interrogator in Oct of 1967. Upon return from Vietnam, he entered North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, graduating with a BA in Electrical Engineering in 1972, followed by a Master’s Degree.
In 1975, he and brother Jerry started a construction business to work their way through school which Bob continued to pursue after Jerry left NDSU. In 1992, Bob was working alone on a second story roof, he passed out and fell to the ground. While in a body cast, Bob was told he would never walk again. Being as determined as he was, he told his mom they were wrong. He became a paraplegic and as soon as he could, he started walking with his cane as much as ten miles every day rain or snow, dragging one leg behind him.
He would accomplish anything he wanted to. He even built himself a deer hunting tree stand near home by hauling lumber and tools through the woodsy swamp. Although he suffered almost constant pain and spasms through the years, he never complained. He was quick witted, very intelligent and quiet. His eyes always lit up with a bright smile when he saw his nephews and nieces, who all loved him. When his nephew, Jayson, built the playground for the kids in Wadena as his Eagle Scout Project, Bob was there every day helping and serving as an adult supervisor at all times. Bob would never turn down a family game of cards and was so competitive.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Gladys Young; sister, Pamela Young; nephew, Mark Young; and two step-nephews.
He is survived by sister, Bonnie (Gerald) Munkholm, Vacaville, CA; brothers, Kenneth (Kathy), Ottertail, MN; James and Gerald, Wadena, MN; niece, Kelly Young, Breckenridge, CO; nephews, Donald Amaya, Reno, NV; Ryan Amaya, Seattle, WA; Kyle (April) Young, Pueblo, CO; Kevin (Angela) Young, Maple Grove, MN; Jayson Young, Fargo, ND; and 5 step nieces and one step-nephew. Burial was held on Monday, March 8, in Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN.
Arrangements were with Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Wadena, MN. (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com)