Robert Merritt Adams

Robert (Bob) Merritt Adams, age 89, of Eden Prairie passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024.

A celebration of Bob’s life will take place at 11 a.m., on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 501 South Second Street, Mankato, with visitation from 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. Northview – North Mankato Mortuary is assisting with arrangements. 

Bob and his twin sister, Ruth, were born on June 16, 1935, at Immanuel Hospital in Mankato. He and his siblings grew up in Mankato. Bob graduated from Mankato High School in 1953 and immediately enrolled at Mankato State Teachers College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato). His college career was interrupted when he was inducted into the US Army in 1955. He went through basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and then was stationed in Japan in 1956 and 1957. After his discharge, he returned to Mankato and resumed his college education in 1958, graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1961.

After stints at Craig-Hallum, International Milling, and North American Aviation (in Los Angeles), Bob joined National City Bank of Minneapolis in 1967 as Director of Data Processing and managed the data processing department until he retired in 1996. Ironically, the founders of National City Bank, Dwayne and Lowell Andreas, had been customers of Bob’s when he pumped gasoline in Mankato during his high school years.

Bob loved tennis, golf, downhill skiing, fast cars, and traveling to exotic locations, especially Big Sur. In retirement, Bob traveled extensively and spent many winters in Florida. For several years, he joined a group of friends for an annual ski trip to Aspen, CO. 

Robert is survived by siblings, Phyllis Livdahl, Loren W. “John” Adams, twin Ruth Adams, and Richard Adams; stepchildren, Paul and David Engbritson; as well as nieces, nephews, and friends, especially his dear friend, Bobbi Rankin. 

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Mildred Adams, and siblings, Jim Adams and Clifford Adams.