Robert J King Sr

King, Robert J. of Hopkins, died at age 87 peacefully and surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert E. and Regina King; his sister, Mary Ellen Rublee; and Mary Ellen's husband, Paul. Born in McConnelsville, Ohio, he attended Purdue University and the University of Michigan, where he studied electrical engineering in the Navy V-12 program. After his active duty as a Naval officer, he returned to Ann Arbor and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1949. Bob was proud to serve as a reserve officer in Naval Intelligence for over 20 years, retiring with the rank of Commander. Bob was a lifelong ham radio operator, serving as a regional leader in the Navy Military Auxiliary Radio System until his death. Bob began his law practice in Minneapolis with the Ossanna Law Firm, where he met Charlie Hvass and Si Weisman. Soon, they formed the firm of Hvass, Weisman & King. Bob, Charlie and Si practiced together for the remainder of their careers, specializing in plaintiff's personal injury trial work. Bob was recognized for his talent and strength of character as a trial lawyer by being admitted to membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the International Society of Barristers. He was one of the first Minnesota plaintiff lawyers admitted to the American College and was a founding member and President of the Minnesota ABOTA chapter. He was also active in the Minnesota State Bar Association, serving as President in 1971. He served on the board of and supported for decades the Minnesota Legal Aid Society. In his retirement, Bob worked as a mediator/arbitrator and, in later years, as a teacher of English to the Somali community. Bob always said he was drawn to Minnesota by a "force." That force was Margaret Joanne "Donie" Ashwell. They enjoyed 61 years of married life. And what a full life - they were blessed with eight children and thirteen grandchildren. Bob is survived by Donie; his sister, Judy Chapman and her husband Marvin and their family; Mary Ellen and Paul Rublee's family; and his children, Bob (Susan, Colin, and Olivia), Barry (Cathy, Ian and Erica, and Colin and Annie), Laura King, Gina Jacobson (Perry, Katie, Anne, and Emily), Casey King, David (Rosaleen, Connor, and Anneliese), Liz Houtz (Steve, Charlie, Maggie, and Danny), and Margaret King (Hugo). Bob and Donie and many lifelong friends enjoyed many winters in Destin, Florida. Bob especially enjoyed time at his beloved Sugar Lake home with Donie and frequent visits from children, grandchildren, and friends. He enjoyed tennis (the Mob Lob), golf outings (The Sandbaggers and the Hardly Open), sailing, duck hunting, poker games, reading on the screen porch, alone time in his radio room, and the nightly pontoon "booze cruise." Bob was a man of modest, quiet dignity. He was intellectually curious, open minded, enthusiastic, optimistic and always respectful of others. He gave his family steady, reliable love. Our family thanks the staff of North Memorial Medical Center for their compassionate care of Bob. Visitation at Washburn-McReavy, 5000 Vernon Ave., Edina, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12. Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13 at Church of St. Patrick, 6820 St. Patricks Ln., Edina. Luncheon at 11:00 at Interlachen Country Club, 6200 Interlachen Boulevard, Edina, followed by burial service at Ft. Snelling Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Mid- Minnesota Legal Aid (www.mylegalaid.org), 430 1st Ave. N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401, or Downtown Emergency Service Center Seattle (http://www.desc.org/). www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Robert J King Sr

June 8, 2013

Tributes

Robert J King Sr

June 8, 2013

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