Robert James Hoeppner

Robert J. “Bob” Hoeppner, age 90, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

The oldest of five children, he was born to George and Leona (Grossell) Hoeppner of Winona, Minnesota, on November 12, 1927.

He graduated from Winona Cotter High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He received advanced training as a radioman and served aboard the USS Rich and the USS Spokane during his four years of active duty. Later, he joined the Naval Reserve and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, serving for two years on Guam. He was a proud Navy man who kept current with military news and information throughout his life.

Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954 with a degree in architecture. He had a successful career working for several private firms as well as the federal government, retiring from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In retirement, he never let his expertise go unemployed, performing greatly appreciated pre-purchase inspections of his children’s houses, “supervising” the construction of and additions to others, and adding onto and maintaining his own house.

He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For more than five decades, Bob belonged to St. Peter’s Catholic parish in Richfield, on whose building committee he was proud to serve during the planning and construction of the current church, which was built in the 1970s.

Bob enjoyed reading, genealogy, trying to outsmart squirrels at the bird feeder, and keeping up on any and all news in science and technology. He will be lovingly remembered for his tremendous generosity and sacrifices made for others.

He is survived by children Heidi (Armando) Gaibor, Gina (Dave) Dillon, Steve (Beth) Hoeppner, Phil (Lisa) Hoeppner, and Ami (Chris) Caldwell; grandchildren Cali (Martin) Ressler, Jesse (Tara) Gaibor, Laura and Emily Hoeppner, Katie and Cameron Caldwell; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Margaret Bednar. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers George and Charles, and sister, Dorothy.

Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 19, St. Peter's Catholic Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave., Richfield, Minnesota. Visitation Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-8 p.m., at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery. Special thanks to Cass and the staff of Geneva Suites.