Robert Wilson Meinhard, 1918-2013

As you all know, our patriarch, my uncle, Robert Wilson Meinhard, died on the 26th.
Robert Wilson Meinhard, November 3, 1918- August 26, 2013

My Uncle Bob, age 94, passed away on  Monday, August 26, 2013 at his home in Winona, MN.  His daughters Darla and Nancy were with him.

Uncle Bob was born on November 3, 1918 in Storm Lake, IA to Alfred and Minnie (Dushinske) Meinhard, the youngest of four sons, and grew up on the family farm.  He graduated from Hayes Consolidated School in Storm Lake and continued his education with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and education from Buena Vista College, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa, and a Doctor of Education degree from Montana State University.  He taught and coached  7th and 8th grades in Cumberland, IA, junior high school in Grinnell and Fort Dodge, IA, history at Austin High School, Austin, MN, and retired as a Professor of History from Winona State University.

Uncle Bob married Iris Hart on August 23, 1942 in Keota, IA.  They raised four children, Sheryl, Nancy, Robert and Darla, and in pursuit of his education and his love of the West, the family visited, camped and explored together most of the states west of the Mississippi. He had many hobbies and interests:  fishing and fly tying, the Twins and the Vikings, classical, jazz and swing music, ballroom and old time dancing, and reading. He and Iris and dear friends danced across the United States, attending 100 or more dances each year.

He also found time to volunteer and was a founder of the Austin YMCA and a board member for 15 years.  Robert was chairman of the Battlefield Preservation Board and served on numerous other boards:  Civil War Round Table Associates, Buena Vista College Alumni Association, Winona County Historical Society, City of Winona Merit Board of which he was chairman for seven years, and Winona State University Foundation.  He was founder and president of the Hiawatha Valley Civil War Round Table, moderator of the First Congregational Church of Winona, Chair of the History Dept, WSU, and founder of the Battlefield Preservation Advisory Coalition.

Special honors throughout his lifetime include Outstanding Service Awards from the Austin YMCA, Hiawatha Valley Civil War Round Table,Winona Area Ballroom Dance Club, Twin Cities Civil War Round Table, and the prestigious Dr. Frank Vandiver Award for distinguished service to Civil War history.  He was a Buena Vista College alumnus of the year.

Uncle Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife Iris (2001), parents Alfred and Minnie, and three brothers Karl, Dwight and H. Don.  He was the Meinhard Patriarch and his zest for life and learning was an inspiration to all whose lives he touched  and will be much missed by his children Sheryl Glade (Charles) of Worland, Wy, Nancy (Robert) Earley of Cherry Hill, NJ, Robert (Tuyet Luong) Meinhard of Brooklyn Center, MN and Darla (Edward II) Newell of Lander, Wy; grandchildren James (Stacy) Gilman of Powell, Wy, Dr. Jeffrey Gilman of Arlington, TX, William Earley and Laura Earley of Cherry Hill, NJ, Sarah Newell of Lander, WY;  great-grandchildren Kyle Gilman and Brett Gilman of Powell, WY; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

In his will he asked that in lieu of flowers people who wished to express their condolences and remember him might send a donation to a charity. His favorite charity was his Alma Mater, Buena Vista University. He started the Meinhard Endowed Service Award to be given each year to a student for outstanding service. Buena Vista University has ben awarded nationally for their active engagement and belong to a national network of colleges and universities recognized by the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASPA) to further a commitment to making civic engagement, service learning and community engagement a priority. Uncle Bob looked forward to attending the award banquet each year and remembers the honor of sitting at the President's table. He is gratefully remembered by the University Civic Engagement staff.

We can leave donations (to Buena Vista University) with Sheryl Glade, 904 Jim Bridger Trail
Worland, WY 82401-978, or with her at the ceremony for delivery all at once or we may send donations anytime to Buena Vista University, 610 W. 4TH Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588. There will also be a basket at the ceremony for condolences and donations. Bob's home address at 544 Glenview Drive, Winona, MN 55987 no longer receives mail.

Uncle Bob also supported Habitat for Humanity, the Nature Conservancy, and others. His church meant a lot to him as well. He listed his charities but also stated a donation to our own favorite charity would be appropriate.

The ceremony will be held at 11:00 at the First Congregational Church of Winona United Church of Christ, 161 W Broadway St, Winona, MN (across the street from the Methodist Church). Pastor Timothy Forester (507) 452-4829 (who interestingly also has a history degree and remembers good conversations with Bob) will be officiating. Donna Meinhard will give the eulogy, and there will be a Time for Sharing. The Church will host a luncheon after the ceremony.

Uncle Bob gave the Meinhard family a wonderful gift in restoring and maintaining the Meinhard legacy as represented in the Meinhard Family Cemetary in Troy Grove. He requested he and Iris be buried there with a granite marker; perhaps we can do that on Sunday. His children may make additional remembrances at some his favorite locations.

Bob respected and contributed to our societal and family history, the institutional memory of who we are and how we got here. He had an amazing memory, and he enjoyed and took great pride in the family's musical talents. I am grateful and proud of his life well-lived.