Bob Lepage

It is with great sorrow that the family of Robert “Bob” John Lepage announce the passing of their husband, father and grandfather on September 9, 2008, at the age of 70. Bob was born December 7, 1937, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of Marcel Adrien and Louise Sophia (Franken) Lepage. Bob was baptized, received first communion and was confirmed at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea and attended St. Theodore’s Catholic School through the eighth grade. He then attended Albert Lea High School, graduating in 1955. Bob met his future wife, Virginia Ann Marsh, when he was on a one-year leave from Mankato State College (now Mankato State University) to work for the U.S. Post Office in Albert Lea. Bob and Virginia were married on August 29, 1959, at Grace Lutheran Church in Alden. Bob then returned to Mankato State where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961, majoring in business administration and economics. Their children, Cynthia Ann and Marcel Robert were born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato, Minnesota. Bob served his country in the United States Army Reserve from 1954 – 1962 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division after basic training. After active duty, he was assigned to the Military Police Unit. Because of the work ethic instilled in him by his father, Bob had his first paying job at eight years old delivering papers. At thirteen, he went to work for May Engineering in Albert Lea and was employed by the company throughout his high school years. While with Chrysler Corporation in Minneapolis, Bob was transferred to Bismarck in 1967, as the North Dakota district manager. The family moved to Fargo in July 1968, when Bob accepted the position as the business administrator at the Southeast Region Mental Health Center. Bob owned and operated various businesses and began selling aviation insurance in 1980, leading he and his son, Marc, to establish Northstar Aviation Insurance in 1986. After his retirement in 1999, he continued to enjoy going out to the office at the airport to work for a few hours each week. Bob’s love of flying began at a very early age. At 16 years old, he acquired part ownership in an Aeronca Champ model 7AC. With college and a young family, he put flying aside for a number of years. Then in 1975, he took up flying again and acquired a 1975 Cessna 172. Over the years, he would accumulate close to 6,000 pilot hours in private airplanes flying for both business and pleasure. Bob also loved to hunt and fish and particularly enjoyed those trips with son, Marc and grandson, Scott. He was a loyal Minnesota Vikings football fan from the 1960’s through the present. Bob enjoyed endless hours of reading, attested to by the thousands of books in his library and his many subscriptions to various publications. He also enjoyed spending time on the computer and working on jigsaw puzzles. Bob and Virginia loved being together in their home, residing there since 1968 until the present. Bob was a member of the Fargo Gateway Lions and through that service organization he began his volunteer work for the visually impaired. His commitment to those that needed assistance was evident by his actions. He did not seek nor want recognition, but nonetheless was given numerous awards by the Lions over the years and was named a Melvin Jones Fellow recipient in 2002. It was with humble appreciation that he accepted the recognition award for service presented to him at the North Dakota Association for the Blind annual 2008 convention. Bob’s survivors include his wife of 49 years, Virginia; their heritage of great value ~ children: Cynthia Ann (Matthew) Mohr and Marcel “Marc” Robert (Yvonne) Lepage, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Randee Lynn and Scott Marcel Lepage, both students at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks; and Benjamin Ryan, Caleb William and Berea Louise Mohr, all of Fargo. Also surviving is Bob’s sister-in-law, Genevieve and her husband, Franklin Walker, of Albert Lea with their family. Missing him so much will be his faithful Westie companion, Molly. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marcella. Bob’s family wants to publicly extend their appreciation to his physician and friend of many years, Dr. David Glatt, and to the dedicated professionals and support staff of the MeritCare Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for the care given to him the past several weeks. Prayer Service: Friday, September 12, 2008, at 7:00 PM, with Visitation from 5-7 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo. Funeral Service: Saturday, September 13, 2008, at 2 PM, with Visitation one hour prior to the service at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2010 North Elm Street, Fargo. Entombment: Riverside Mausoleum, 2102 5th Street South, Fargo. Military Honors will be accorded. Memorials may be designated to Messiah Lutheran Church or the North Dakota Association for the Blind.