Robert Gilmour

Bob Gilmour, 81, passed away at his Fargo home Sunday, Dec. 14 with his wife, Margaret, by his side. Bob dedicated his life to his wife of 54 years, their six children and nine grandchildren. Family always came first for Bob but his love for newspapering and Sioux sports -- especially hockey -- were close seconds. He lived most of his life in Grand Forks until the couple moved to Fargo after the 1997 flood. They purchased a summer lake home after his retirement and loved to watch their grandchildren splashing and playing in the water. Robert J. "Bob" Gilmour was born in Grand Forks, N.D., March 22, 1927, to William W. "Tommie" and Bertha C. Gilmour. He was the seventh and youngest child of the family. He attended St. Mary's Grade School, South Junior High School and graduated from Central High School in 1945. After one year of college he volunteered for the U.S. Army, trained in armored infantry and the counter-intelligence corps. He returned to college in 1947 and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in journalism in 1950. At UND he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. As a senior in high school and in college, Bob covered sports for the Grand Forks Herald. After graduating from UND, he continued at the Herald. He also held jobs at weekly newspapers in Williston, Langdon and East Grand Forks, moving permanently to the Herald in 1960. During the early years of his newspaper career he worked as a local reporter, swing desk editor, wire editor, city editor and news editor. In 1970 Bob was promoted to managing editor. In 1976 he moved to public relations with the Herald and for the final 15 years of his career performed PR functions, including newspaper promotions and advertising special sections. Bob married Margaret A. Cook of Grand Forks on April 26, 1954, in Grand Forks. Margaret worked as a registered nurse for St. Michael's Hospital and Valley Medical. The couple raised their six children in Grand Forks' Riverside Park neighborhood where they lived for 30 years. Bob served terms as head of the Greater Grand Forks Quarterback Club (now Sioux Booster Club), Disabled American Veterans (commander and adjutant), Wilder School PTA and Grand Forks Herald Credit Union. He also was president of the North Dakota Associated Press. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Grand Forks Country Club and St. Michael's Catholic Church men's club. Memorable stories he covered include: • President John F. Kennedy's visit to Grand Forks on Sept. 25, 1963; • The first operational firing of Minuteman missile Aug. 15, 1965, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.; and • A helicopter crashing into the KXJB-TV tower in 1968. Notable sports events he covered included: • 1965 — First UND basketball team in the NCAA Division II tourney; • 1967 — Grand Forks Legion baseball team became the first N.D. team to participate in the national tourney in Memphis, Tenn.; and • NBA coverage of the Minneapolis Lakers. Bob played American Legion Baseball for two years and participated in fast-pitch softball for 19 years. After his playing years, he coached softball teams. He was general chairman for the all-time fast-pitch reunion in 1982. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann Gilmour; his children; James (Deneen) Gilmour, Fargo, Mary (Gus) Sorlie, Bismarck, N.D., Gerald Gilmour, Moorhead, Jonathan (Georgine) Gilmour, Minneapolis, Paul (Rhonda) Gilmour, Grand Forks, and Ann Libretti Chatham, N.J.; and grandchildren; Jared Gilmour, Fargo, Colin Gilmour, Fargo, Brendan Gilmour and Zane Gilmour, Moorhead, Eric Sorlie, Bismarck, Lauren Gilmour and Garrett Gilmour, Grand Forks, Gerry Libretti and Gabrielle Libretti, Chatham, N.J.; sisters, Dee Young, Ridgeway, Colo., Jean O'Keefe, Grand Forks, and daughter-in-law, Jan Gilmour. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bill Gilmour and Don Gilmour; sisters Winnifred Kack and Ann Colton; and son-in The funeral will be 11:00 AM, Friday, December 19, 2008 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Moorhead. Visitation will from 10:00 TO 11:00 AM, Friday, December 19, 2008 at the church.