Robert "Bob" Forrest

Robert N. Forrest, 83, Bismarck, died peacefully on July 17, 2010, at a Bismarck care center, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan at 12:00 noon. Robert “Bob” Nicholas Forrest was born on November 18, 1926, to Willard and Mary Brown Forrest in Parshall, ND. He was raised on the family homestead in Towner, ND. At age seventeen, he enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served his country from February 2, 1944, through August 11, 1946, as a coxswain aboard the USS Pickens. During his Navy service, he was awarded the American Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal, and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon Campaign Medal. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for the railroad. On January 1, 1955, he was united in marriage to Lois Elaine Gibbs in Rugby, ND. They had five children and enjoyed 26 years together until her death on January 2, 1981. On July 3, 1984, he married Marjorie Buer. They later divorced. Bob suffered a long period with Alzheimer’s. Bob enjoyed life and the adventures that it presented. He shared many of these adventures with his lifetime friend and brother of heart, Harvey Svee. Bob worked for the railroad as an oil driller and as a cement mason. He was a proud member of the Laborer’s Local and the Mason’s Local. He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Bob loved a good story, whether in the form of a book or lore. He was gifted with the touch of the blarney stone and spun many a tale and poem himself. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also enjoyed and was blessed by the love of his five grandsons and his granddaughter. He would light up whenever he saw them. He will be missed! Bob is survived by his children, Loralei Dennis Pierce, Timothy Kathy, Corinne James Karlin, Julie Allen Campbell, and Michael Annetta; six grandchildren, James Karlin Jr., Karin Karlin, Jacob Campbell, Zachariah Forrest, Levi Campbell, and Nathan Forrest; his sister, Theresa Marvin Dahl; his brother, Michael Judy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents, Willard and Mary; and his sisters, Dr. Frances Harvey Svee, Patty Elliot Robinson, and Sister Patricia Forrest, OSF.

Robert "Bob" Forrest

November 18, 1926 - July 17, 2010