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Submitted: 4/14/24 • Approved: 4/22/24 • Last Updated: 4/25/24 • R275825-G275825-S3
Robert "Bob" Clarence Blue
August 13, 1932 - January 17, 2024
Robert Blue, age 91, of Lead, South Dakota passed away January 17, at Ava’s House hospice in Sioux Falls from kidney failure. His wife Barbara passed away at the end of December from a serious fall. They had recently relocated from Terry Peak to Sioux Falls and were living at Touchmark at All Saints.
Bob was born to Walter and Muriel Blue at Sioux Valley Hospital on August 13th, 1932 and was raised in Sioux Falls with his younger brother, Leonard. They were surrounded by their family’s masonry business and Bob became the youngest apprentice in the local bricklayer’s union at the age of 16. He graduated from Washington High School in 1951. He loved the hard work of being a bricklayer and the excitement of riding motorcycles. Bob proudly served in the Air Guard from 1946-1954 and valued the lifelong friendships he made there. Intrigued by aviation, he obtained his pilot’s license at age 49.
He met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Thompson, at a dance at Lake Okoboji, Iowa in August 1952. They were engaged nearly 70 years ago on February 13, 1954 and were married a year later. Bob recently observed after Barb’s passing that they were rarely apart—having worked together in their family businesses for decades. Bob worked in his father’s masonry business for 14 years prior to purchasing it in 1966. His workmanship and those of his employees still stands throughout the city of Sioux Falls. He was a member of the Bricklayers Allied Crafts Union for 51 years. In 1978 they sold their masonry business and Bob and Barb purchased Island’s Building Center in Deadwood and so began the Terry Peak chapter of their life. Blue’s Building Center was a lively and reliable place for local contractors and Bob enjoyed guiding and supplying all their projects. He served as President of the South Dakota Retail Lumberman’s Association and served on the Northern Hills General Hospital Board for many years.
To all those who knew him Bob role modeled a love for projects and hard work balanced with the importance of spending time with family and friends. Always a craftsman and curious to try something new, Bob learned rosemaling, carving, and woodworking. His most memorable project was a full-sized replica of a 24-foot 1942 Chris-Craft wooden boat that took three summers to complete. He began the boat project at age 72 and often said those were the best summers of his life. He captained family around both Lake Okoboji and Pactola Lake. Bob loved his annual pheasant hunts to Gregory County with generations of family. He was still hunting at the age of 89. Bob’s confidence, wisdom, and mentorship will be missed.
Bob had a heart for supporting pastors in all the churches he and Barb attended. He helped form men’s prayer groups at both Victory Lutheran in Mesa, Arizona and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Lead with the sole purpose of praying for their pastors. He shared his voice in church choir and on the church council.
Grateful for having shared his life are his son Dan and wife Becky of Sioux Falls, children—Ian (Paige), Julia (Luke Thompson), Elliot (Kara), and Mason (Ellie); and his son David and wife Darla of Colorado Springs, and daughters—Jami Mark (Travis), Colten and Troyer, and Jeni Moede (Adam), Brooklyn and Madison.
Visitation with family present will be held Tuesday, January 23 from 11:00 - 1:00 at Miller Funeral Home in downtown Sioux Falls, 507 S. Main Avenue. All are welcome to enjoy conversation, music, and a light lunch. Burial service to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Memorial service for both Bob and Barb will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:00 am at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead, South Dakota. Lunch will follow in the church basement.
Memorials may be directed to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 825 W. Main Street, Lead, SD 57754. In lieu of flowers please consider the suggested memorial or a gift to your favorite charity.
Contributed on 4/14/24 by 9katz
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Record #: 275825