Robert Lee Himmelright

Robert Lee “Bob” Himmelright passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Deerwood, MN. Bob was born to Clara (Grife) and Aaron Himmelright in a log cabin built by his father on April 15, 1934, in Nary, MN. He went to grade school and junior high at a small schoolhouse in Nary and graduated from Bemidji High School. During high school he worked in a bakery, getting up early in the morning before heading off to school. In January 1953, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was deployed with a regimental mortar company in the 3rd Marine Division in Korea. Shortly after his arrival, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. His division deployed to Japan and also to Camp Pendleton, CA. Because of his high school experience, he became a baker for the officers on ship and later became a rifle instructor. Of particular note, Bob was selected to serve with the 3rd Marine Corps Provisional Atomic Exercise Brigade for Operation Teapot, a series of 14 nuclear test explosions that were conducted during the Cold War at the Nevada Test Site in 1955. Wearing no protective gear and sheltered in a shallow foxhole, he was exposed to an air-ground nuclear detonation where he was two miles from the blast site. Corporal Himmelright survived Operation Teapot without injury and was promoted to sergeant before his honorable discharge.

Following his service in the Marines, Bob went to school at North Dakota State School of Science where he studied architecture. He worked at Lambert Lumber in Belle Fourche, SD; Grand Rapids, MN; and Crosby, MN, where he was manager for 17 years. For fun, he raced stock cars and learned how to fly, later becoming a flying instructor. He was certified as a teacher at Bemidji State University and taught Hardware Home Center Management at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN, before starting Himmelright Auto Body in 1980 in Ironton, MN. Bob had a lifelong fascination with cars and learned how to do auto body work by trading flying lessons with a friend. He also built some of the first storage buildings in the Crow Wing County area.

Bob met his wife Linda while giving her flying lessons. They married in July 1974 — a second marriage for both. Bob had two children from his first marriage and Linda had seven. Following retirement in 1992, Bob and Linda bought an Airstream and traveled to Florida and Texas as well as Alaska, the East Coast of the U.S., and Nova Scotia, Canada. They motorcycled throughout the U.S. with his Marine buddies and their wives. They also traveled to Mexico, Iceland, England, Scotland, and Denmark. Bob and Linda canoed and camped for many summers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Bob also loved to fish and hunt, particularly at the hunting shack he and his friends built near Dixon Lake Resort. In later years, Bob and Linda enjoyed taking trips around Serpent Lake in their pontoon and watching Minnesota Twins, Timberwolves, and Lynx games.

Bob was a Mason and was honored in 2024 by The Grand Lodge of Minnesota for 60 years of membership. He had achieved a level of Master Mason and had participated in the Scottish Rite.

Despite being a diabetic and suffering a triple bypass and stroke, Bob lived to be 92 years old — one of the oldest relatives in his family. He is survived by his wife Linda of Deerwood, MN, his sister Joyce Stardig of Bemidji, MN, and his children: Deb Maring of Otter Tail, MN, and Jean (Bill) Gravelle of Aitkin, MN. His stepchildren include Kim (Tom) Knutson of Grand Marais, MN; Nancy (Bryan) Krantz of Brainerd, MN; Carol (Garth) Hermanson of Chicago, IL; John (Jan) Sadusky of Minneapolis, MN; Teresa (Ole) Dalgaard of Copenhagen, Denmark; Robert (Shelbea) Sadusky of Crystal River, FL; and Laura Sadusky-Smith of Merrifield, MN. In addition, Bob had 19 grandchildren: Kelly and Terrence Maring; Scott, Stephanie, and Mike Olson; Jack and Bethanie Gravelle; Katy Jo, Eric, and Cree Orth; Ushus Hermanson; Grant Sadusky; Christian and Sofie Dalgaard; C.J. and Johnny Sadusky; Samuel Sadusky, Zachary Smith, and Sierra (Smith) Lewis. Bob also had 10 great grandchildren: Lily, Piper, and Steel Maring; Ransom, Coen, Ella, and Will Olson; Zavi Orth; and Robert and Eevee Sadusky.

Burial with full military honors will be 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Minnesota State Veteran Cemetery in Little Falls. A Memorial Gathering will be at the Myrin James American Legion in Ironton on Friday, July 17, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A Masonic Service will be at 2:00 p.m. with the Sharing of Memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crosby Area Food Shelf at https://cuyunarangefoodshelf.com or at 302 Cross Ave N, Crosby, MN 56441. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.