|
Robert Andrew Aitkin, 62, of Shoreview, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Preceded in death by Lewis and Constance Downing and Bernice Aitkin Barstow. He leaves behind his wife, LeeAnn, 2 sons and 2 grandchildren, 2 sisters, 1 brother and 2 nephews. Bob was a Lance Corporal in the Marines in Vietnam and an active member of the Army Reserve. After retiring from the US Post Office, he returned to the University of Minnesota to study Ojibway language and culture. An enrolled member of the Leech Lake Tribe and a Mide shaman. Bob volunteered with children at Anishinabe Academy. He will be missed by his many friends. Bob is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
|
Claudia S. Carley (Droel)
Bob was one of the first people I met when I moved to the Mounds View area in 7th grade. He was on my school bus route. He was quiet, and he stood out because he was such a gentleman--not a description that usually comes to mind for a 7th-grade boy. I liked him. Now I wish I had known him better. I had no idea what his background was. If I could talk with him now, I would ask him all about his Ojibway heritage, which must have been important to him. I would also thank him for his service as a Marine and an Army reservist.