Robert “Bobbie” Pleiss of Albert Lea, Minn., died Sept. 17, 2018, at Mayo Health Systems Austin, Minn. He was 97 years old. Memorial services were held Sept. 24, 2018, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Pastor Jennifer Gonsalves officiated. Interment was in the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis. Military honors were accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Groups.
Robert was born July 7, 1921, in Albert Lea, Minn., the son Bernard M. and Doris E. (Cooper) Pleiss. He graduated from Albert Lea High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Luther College in 1948. Robert was united in marriage to Ruth Thompson on Dec. 31, 1950, in Parker, S.D.
Robert taught school in Westbrook, Minn., before returning to Albert Lea where he was an Industrial Engineer for the Wilson Co., for over 36 years. He was an active member of the Grace Lutheran Church serving on church Council, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School for 25 years and a part of the Bethel Bible Study. Robert was a member of the Albert Lea Eagle’s, Sons of Norway, DAV, VFW, American Legion (Past President), YMCA, Y’s Men’s Club, the Albert Lea Kiwanis, and a volunteer for RSVP. He loved camping, reading about American history, woodworking and was an armchair theologian. Robert enjoyed exercising and walking and sang with the Albert Lea Cariarries for over 20 years where he made many good friends.
Robert is survived by his children Michael (Pam) Pleiss of Albert Lea, Minn., Marggi Pleiss Sippola ’78, and husband David of Northfield, Minn., grandchildren Lisa (Jaime) Salazar, Kristopher (Kaylee Nash) Pleiss, Abby Pleiss, Ben Sippola and McKinzie Sippola. There are three great grandchildren; Arya Salazar, Talia Salazar and Kamden Pleiss, two sisters Joyce (Fred) Kinney of Kearney, Mo., Lois Schwinefus of Spring Valley, Minn., and numerous nieces and nephews. He had very special friends in the Dorothy Adams and Family, and Gerhard and Irmi Kleih and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, sisters Janet Huber, Dorothy (Harvey) Herman, brothers-in-law Bob (Norine) Thompson Sr. and Bob Schwinefus, and nephew Keith Thompson Jr.