Robert Arthur Zortman

Robert Arthur “Bob” Zortman was born May 12, 1933, in Haybrook Township, Minnesota. He went to his heavenly home on June 26, 2025. He lived most of his early life in a log cabin near Isle, MN, helping his father Arthur and mother Elsie on their small farm. There was no electricity and no running water. He would do chores in the early morning before trudging to school in Isle. He says he was 12 years old before he knew his name wasn’t “Go Get Wood”. He loved sports and lamented the fact that he tore his knee and didn’t get to finish playing football in his senior year.

Bob was the eldest of 7 children born to Arthur and Elsie and as such took on a leadership role in the family. They were a tight knit, loving, hard-working family and Bob was proud of all his brothers and sisters.

Bob loved to hunt and fish with his dad and his brothers. This love of hunting and fishing carried on throughout his life.

Not long after high school he joined the Army where he served a 3-year hitch as a paratrooper. After that active duty he joined the Army reserve where he served for over 35 years. In 1991 he was ordered back to active duty and sent to Saudi Arabia in support of the cleanup after Operation Desert Storm. He was the Command Sergeant Major in charge of returning our military equipment back to the USA.

Bob worked for many years as a grain inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This job led him and his young family to several different locations and homes through the years, but ultimately brought them to Fairhope, AL, where he served as the head of grain inspections in the port of Mobile.

He was a dedicated long-time member of Ascension Lutheran Church where he served in several leadership capacities. He rarely missed Sunday services and was always available to help with projects.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Elsie Zortman, as well as his brothers David and Dick and sisters, Connie Strandberg and Carol Perrin.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Patricia. They were a true love story. Even in his final days they would sit and hold hands. They traveled to Alaska for numerous years where they developed many friends and Bob caught many salmon and halibut.

He is also survived by his children, Debbie, Beckie, Bonnie, and Brian; step-son Doug; grandchildren, Chad, Laurin, Richard, Robbie, and Anna; and greatgrandchildren, Katherine, Alexandra, John, Charlotte, Zella, Albert, Sam, Robert, Tobias, Denny, Mary and Gloria; step-grandchildren Mathew, Brett, and Cody; as well as his brother Gary and sister Janice.

Bob was a devout Christian, a devoted family man, and a true American patriot. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed but he lived a long productive life, and he will now spend eternity with his heavenly father.

Visitation will be at 9:00am on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 followed by Funeral service at 10:00am at Redeemer Lutheran Church located at 200 S. Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations made to Ascension Christian School and Veritas Lutheran School.