Robert Loring Jackson

His, was a life well lived. A journey begun in Mitchell, SD on 6-8-26 and continued beyond this world on 11-10-16, Robert Loring Jackson’s life was abundant in every way. As a son, brother, soldier, father, husband, student, coach, professor, singer, neighbor, and friend, Bob was a deeply principled man, with a heart as expansive as the night sky.

Bob was thrown into adulthood precipitously, when on his 18th birthday he received his examination for the army and was inducted into WWII on 8/14/1944 as a sharpshooter, a skill that he found useful with pheasant and pesky pigeons later in life. Serving in Co. E. 7th Infantry, 3 Division, 7 Army, he fought in England, France and Germany, was wounded in action on 3/26/1945 and honorably discharged on 5/2/1946 from Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City, Utah while recovering from his injuries. Bob was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, the Victory Ribbon, a Bronze Campaign Star, an American Theatre Ribbon and the Purple Heart for his courageous service.

Bob’s inquisitiveness and wonder of life led him on many adventures, both here and across the globe. He graduated from Hamline University and received a MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota. He taught mathematics and science in Heron Lake, MN, Lakewood, CO, Casablanca, French Morocco, Baumholder, Germany, and the University of Minnesota Laboratory High School. He also worked for the Minnesota Department of Education and contributed over 30 years of extraordinary instruction to the University of Minnesota Mathematics Education department, retiring as a full professor. Bob’s passion for teaching science and mathematics was birthed in exploration of our most fundamental experiences with the world. Mathematics was at its core, philosophy. His gift was igniting curiosity in us to examine, challenge and comprehend the theories and tenets that form the basis of our daily existence.

A man of diverse interests, across his lifetime Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, music, singing, tropical fish, gardening, poker, horse racing, handicapping, Sudoku and Crosswords, reading, the comic strip Pickles, cooking and a delight for many of us, baking and sharing delectable desserts. He spent many a cold and dark winter in Minnesota combing through seed catalogs for tomatoes, raspberries and sundry heirloom veggies that he would start in his greenhouse and give away as seedlings. He maintained a small apple orchard, sang in the Minnesota Chorale, owned race horses, traced family genealogy back centuries - writing his discoveries into histories for the family and he won more Royal Flushes than any of his relations combined. But above all, he loved his family and friends with immutable tenderness and generosity of spirit.

His presence will always burn bright for those who knew and loved him. And as we gaze into the starry night, we will feel him with us, cheering us on to ceaselessly fight the good fight.

Bob is survived by his siblings, Vivian, Jerry (Jane), Joan (Robert), children Charles (Debra), Catherine, Cynthia and Adam, beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Services to be held at 2:00 on 2/10/17 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery (Assembly Area 3) followed by a celebration of life at the Minnesota History Center, Heffelfinger room. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Robert Loring Jackson Fund for Historic Fort Snelling at the Minnesota Historical Society, 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, MN 55102. The family can be contacted directly at [email protected].