Robert Leslie Graham

Robert Leslie Graham, 90 of Mankato, died Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato after battling Parkinson's disease for the last several years.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, October 14, 2016 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr., North Mankato with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Mankato. Bob’s family prefers memorials be given to Ecumen Pathstone Living or Minnesota State University Mankato, Chemistry Department.

Bob was born January 9, 1926 to Christopher and Inger (Aaberg) Graham in Riceville, IA.  He graduated from Riceville High School in 1943. From 1944 to 1946 he served in the United States Navy aboard the heavy cruiser, the U.S.S Louisville and saw action in Okinawa. After the ship was hit by a kamikaze plane on June 5, 1945, they returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs.  Bob was honorably discharged from the US Navy November 7, 1946. After the war ended, Bob attended Mankato Teachers College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.  He then went on to the University of Minnesota and received his Master’s Degree in Chemistry. From the late 1950s to the early 1960s, he taught Chemistry at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. He received his PhD in Chemistry in 1958. Bob married Marie Belle Payne on June 15, 1957. Together they raised their daughter, Leslie. In 1963, he returned to Mankato and served as Department Chair of the Chemistry department from 1964 to 1977 at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Bob retired in 1989. He also took part in the naming of Ford Hall at MSU.

In his free time and retirement years, Bob enjoyed collecting, repairing and selling guns.  He was also an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato. He taught Confirmation and Bible Study classes. He was well-known and will be remembered for his kindness and generosity including setting up the Marie Payne Graham Memorial Scholarships at Minnesota State University, Mankato and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.  

Bob is survived by his daughter, Leslie Graham of North Mankato; sister-in-law, Nancy Lee Payne Dahl; several nieces, nephews, and many friends; and his beloved cat, Simon. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie Belle in 2003; and sisters, Rachel Smith and Evelyn Bednar.

Thank you to the residents and the staff of Ecumen Pathstone Living for their friendship, kindness, and caring that they demonstrated to Dad and Leslie during the last three years.  A special thank you to the 3100 wing for their tender, loving care.