Robert Eugene Stevenson, age 92, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2009 at Sanford USD Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, May 4th at Zion Lutheran Church with the family present to greet friends one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls YMCA.


Bob was born on November 12, 1916, in Sioux Falls to George and Madeline (Rieder) Stevenson. He had an older sister, Veva, and a younger brother, Carrol. He started school in Erwin, SD, where his father was a railroad depot agent and completed grade school in Beadle and Longfellow Grade Schools. Bob graduated from Washington High School in 1935. In 1937, he met Irma Kissinger, a lovely girl from Alexandria, SD and they were united in marriage in 1938. To this union, three wonderful children were born. After graduation, Bob worked for local Ford dealers for about 25 years from grease monkey to salesman to parts department manager. Eventually, Bob got involved in the custom cabinet business for two companies as salesman and later owning the business. In 1978, he sold his business and retired.


Bob played in all school sports, was a member of the YMCA for about 70 years, was involved in gymnastics, swimming, boxing, wrestling, hand ball and racquet ball, which he played until the age of 81. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, often with his wife and children, but finally had to give it up when he was 83. Bob served in the United States Marines Corps during WWII from 1944 to 1946 and was a charter member of the local Marine Corps League. He was also a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Sioux Falls since 1937.


Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 70 years, Irma; three children, Bobbie (Harry) Watson, Richard (Diane) Stevenson and Rhonda (Mark) Adam; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.