Robert "Bob" Irwin

Robert Wayne “Bob” Irwin, 77, of Mankato, passed away on Sunday March 1^st, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, MN surrounded by his immediate family.

Visitation will be held at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr, North Mankato on Friday March 6th, 2020 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 7^th, 2020 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1123 Marsh Street, Mankato with a visitation starting at 10:00am.  Lunch will be provided following the Memorial Service on Saturday and private burial will be at a later date.

Bob was born on June 25th, 1942 in Bowesmont, North Dakota to William “George” and Johanna (Johnson) Irwin.  He grew up in Eldred, MN and graduated from Crookston High School in 1960 and from North Dakota State University with a degree in Pharmacy in 1966.

On August 1st, 1964, he married his sweetheart, Sharon Ann Paseka in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Together they had two sons, Paul and James.  They started their life together in Hazen, North Dakota before moving to Duluth in 1967 where Bob began his career with Walgreens as a Pharmacist.  They moved to Mankato in 1978, where Bob was the store Manager and Pharmacist with Walgreens.  He retired from Walgreens in 2014 after 47 years.  Bob worked hard and developed long relationships with his co-workers, employees, and customers.

Throughout his life Bob was an avid Baseball Player, Coach, and Fan.  Fun fact: Bob may be one of the few people ever to have played games in Met Stadium, the Metrodome, and Target Field.  Bob twice participated in the Minnesota Twins Fantasy Camp, enjoying the experience with his sons Paul and James.   

Bob was very involved in youth baseball as a long-time coach and served as the General and Organizational Manager for the Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association (MAYBA) for 20 years.  He was elected to the inaugural MAYBA Hall of Fame and continued to promote and support youth baseball as the District Manager for VFW Baseball for over 16 years.  A long-time bowler, Bob also served as General Secretary of the Mankato Chapter of the USBC for 19 years and is a member of the Mankato Area Bowling Hall of Fame.

He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, playing cards, golfing, bowling, and attending Mavericks hockey games.  He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities, wherever they were.  A friend to all, Bob was always ready to help anyone he could.

Bob especially loved his family and treasured the family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas when the boys, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would all be home.  Long hour’s playing cards with the whole family were always enjoyed by all.

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon; son, Paul (Melissa) Irwin of Red Wing Minnesota, and their children, Dixon and Mackenzie; son, James Irwin of Mankato, and his children, Derrick (Lauren) Irwin, their children Theodore and Oliver; daughter, Kylia Irwin; his brothers, Jon Irwin, Ron Irwin; sister, Janice Thorson; his sisters-in-law, Lynette Peterson, Debbie Barnum and Brenda (Lyngaas) Schander; along with many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, William George Irwin; mother, Johanna Irwin; step mother, Vicki Irwin; father-in-law, Marcil Paseka; mother-in-law, Lorraine (Mallow) Paseka; brothers-in-law, Larry Peterson, Larry Lyngaas; and nephews, Bradley Thorson and Lance Lyngaas. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Bob’s honor to the Volunteer Interfaith Network (VINE) of Mankato and the American Cancer Society.

Bob and the family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and other support staff with the Mayo Clinic (Mankato and Rochester), Mankato Clinic, Pathstone, and Laurel’s Peak that have helped him for over 14 years since his original cancer diagnosis.