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| left to right: Marguerite, Bob, Louise (c.1935) |
From Maryrose:
My Dad, Robert Alfred Magnusson, passed away this morning. He was a remarkable person. He was born in 1932 and spent much of his childhood during the great Depression. He was born in Corning, Iowa and during high school moved to Mendota, Illinois. His twin sisters, Marguerite and Louise were a year older than him (or two) and he told me they paved the way to his popularity in Mendota with their beauty and good hearts. My Dad had such a good heart too. I know he played high school football although he topped out at 5'10". He went back to Mendota religiously over the years to visit his sister Marguerite and his parents Norman and Rosa. Later Louise and Jim came back as well.
My first memories of my Dad are from Waukegan, Illinois. I clearly remember the day that we moved there from Elmhurst. I was 21/2 years old and Dad was driving a rental truck. I got to sit in the front seat and he asked me, "would you like it if I was a truck driver?" I said, "If I could go with you". My next clear memory is of the day that Norman was born. We went to the Waukegan hospital and a nurse, with white cap and uniform, held Norman up in a pavilion window for me to see. Dad was holding me up so I could see my new brother.
Everybody loved my Dad. He went by "Bob" and he charmed the world. We moved so frequently that everybody asks if we were military. Although my Dad served honorably in the Navy, after his tour he set out to conquer the corporate world. We moved for his promotions. He started as a salesman for Celanese Chemical Company and retired as CEO and Chairman of the Board at Simmons Mattress Company.
My brother and I followed his rising star during our youth. We had him to pull our sled down the snowy street in Waukegan, chase us and our cousins around at night during games of kick the can in Mendota, catch frogs in the "crick".. falling in... to the amazed laughter of all of the cousins; and to come home every night to us to be our Dad.
Dad was a natural athlete and he bestowed that on us as well. We took up skiing while in New Jersey and he was like a fish to water. We skiied together throughout our lives until the last trip several years ago in Taos.
My parents split, and Dad married Kathleen. They brought our sister Kelly into the world. We made many new memories...setting up the shade structure every year at the beach in Hilton Head. No matter how many times we did it, it was still like a Rubik's cube. The instructions disappeared after the first year and so it was pure force of analytical thinking that got that tent up. I used to love driving to Publik's in Hilton Head with Dad. Sometimes we went three times a day because there were so many people to feed and we always forgot something. The memories of bike rides to look for alligators will probably always delight his three granddaughters, Moss might be too young to remember.
When Tito was born Dad flew in to see his first grandchild. He surprised me and I was so happy. He told me that Kathleen told him he needed to come. Blanca came for two weeks because I had surgery and then Kathleen, Kelly and Dad came to our house in Cincinnati to share the babies.
Dad, Kathleen and Kelly came to visit in Puerto Rico a couple of times and we really had fun. We toured the Island and he again charmed everyone.
My Dad loved the West. He came to see me often here in New Mexico. Sometimes he stayed for awhile. He was so loved here that I had to call many local people to let them know.
He had a rough go of it in recent years. He always seemed invincible to me and I know that all of us who loved him were so saddened by his strange dementia and decline. He was still in there though. To the last he appreciated a joke, and it was always possible to make him laugh.
Aunt Louise, Uncle Jim, John, Julie, Jan and Jim; Suzie, Nancy, Dick, Greg and Jennifer he just loved you guys. I do too.
These recollections are dashed off in the few moments I have after work and before I start packing. I hope to have a chance to reminisce with all of you soon.
Mary Rose
Norm and Bob. I must have been standing on something. I don't think I was ever that much taller than pop.
Bottom row: Greg Foster, Susie Foster, Julie Edward, Jan Edward, Jimmy Edwards, baby Johnny Edwards, Dick Foster. (did I get that right?)
Middle row: Marguerite Magnusson Foster, Rosa Cady Magnusson, Norm Magnusson, Louise Magnusson Edwards.
Top row: Howard Foster, baby Maryrose Magnusson, Sue Shirey Magnusson, Bob Magnusson, Jim Edwards.
Young Bob from who knows when. Maybe in the North Chicago days?
I remember when dad got home from work we would play catch in the front yard of our old house here on Washington Ave. in Morristown.
Pop with Rachel and Mary and Howard.
One obit: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/sandy-springs-ga/robert-magnusson-4584398
Family-Placed Death Notice
MAGNUSSON, Robert ROBERT MAGNUSSON After graduating from high school in 1949, Robert enlisted in the Navy for three years and then attended the University of Idaho before graduating from the University of Illinois where he was the President of the Delta Chi Fraternity. His first job was for Shell Oil in Chicago, then Uarco Business Forms, which led to work at the chemical exporter Celanese, and from there he became Vice President of Sterns and Foster which launched his successful career at Simmons Mattress as Chairman of the Board, President and CEO until he retired in 1993. Robert was voted Man of the Year for the City of Hope in 1988 and throughout his life enjoyed golfing, tennis and racquetball. Robert is survived by his wife Kathleen Basset Magnusson of 29 years; his daughters, Kelly Rose Magnusson of Sandy Springs, Mary Rose Magnusson of Sandia Park, NM; his son Norman Alfred Magnusson of Woodstock, NY; 6 grandchildren, Bradley Robert Ramon Magnusson of Sandy Springs, Robert "Tito" Rivera Magnusson and Rachel Bernstein of Sandia Park, Daisy Magnusson, Alice Magnusson, and Moss Magnusson of Woodstock; sister, Louise Edwards (Jim) of Aurora, IL-predeceased by her twin Maguerite Foster; 12 nieces and nephews are also remembered. The family will receive friends Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mount Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. A Mass will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, Monday, March 7, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Arlington Memorial Park. There will be a reception at St. Jude following the interment. Internet remembrances may be recorded at www.mem.com. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to an educational endowment fund. Please contact Kristi Thelen at UBS financial services for details (404) 760-3050.
