Robert “Border Bob” Neuenschwander, age 73, of International Falls, MN, passed away peacefully with his loved ones by his side on April 13, 2022 after a lengthy and determined battle with various illnesses.
Bob was born on July 4, 1948 to Chuck and Mildred Neuenschwander in Chicago, IL. Through his late childhood and teen years, Bob sent winters in Chicago with his family and summers at Calm Bay Resort on Lake Kabetogama, which was owned and operated by his parents. In his teen years, Bob spent summers guiding anglers on Kabetogama and enjoyed hunting and fishing in the area with friends and family. Bob excelled in football and track at Orr High School, setting numerous records in Track and Field. Bob graduated from Orr High School in 1966. He spent two years at Bemidji State University. In 1968, he traveled across the country on his Harley with his best friend, Steve Radle, before settling back to Chicago.
In 1969, Bob was married to Dale Neuenschwander, and joined the Air Force, serving at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. He proudly served as a drill instructor at Lackland until his release from the service in 1974. Bob and Dale had one son, Robb Neuenschwander, who was born during this time in the Air Force.
Upon leaving the Air Force, Bob lived in Bloomington, MN and Chicago, IL before returning back to the North Country and beginning a new family business as a taxidermist in 1978. Bob took great pleasure in building his fledgling enterprise to a thriving business in International Falls, eventually renaming the store Border Bob’s. Along the way, Bob also proudly served in the MN State House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990.
Bob met his beloved wife Kathy (Goodall) Neuenschwander and married on December 31, 1996. Bob and Kathy had similar backgrounds, splitting time as they grew up in Illinois and north country resorts, and bonded immediately. Together they worked and played for 25 beautiful years, spending treasured time on Lake of the Woods and Macomb, IL, in addition to their time together in International Falls.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Mildred Neuenschwander. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, son Robb (Laura) Neuenschwander, son Zach Herbert and his fiance Whitney Waters, grandchildren, Charlie, Maya, and Lauren Neuenschwander, and brother Chuck (Ann) Neuenschwander. He will also be greatly missed by his furry kids, Winchester and Abi Oakley, whom he loved and doted over. We will miss Bob’s wit, sense of humor and his enduring positive attitude.
Bob requested no service but would like those who knew and loved him to remember him as he was– a strong, faithful, loving man who gave of himself in countless ways. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to McDonough County Animal Shelter, in Macomb, IL, an organization that Bob and Kathy adopted from several times or Occupational Development Center (ODC) in International Falls, whose staff and the people they serve have shown so much kindness during Bob’s illness.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
