Robert Bernard

Rev. Robert (Pastor Bob) Paul Bernard, Jr., age 64, of Eagle Bend, formerly of Freeport and Blaine, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 3, 2016, following a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 9 at Harvest Church in Freeport with Rev. Clarence St. John and Rev. Robert P. Bernard III officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Family and friends may visit Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Eagle Bend Assembly of God Church, Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Patton Schad Funeral Home in Melrose, and on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church in Freeport.

Pastor Bob was born August 20, 1952 in Minneapolis, MN to Robert and Donna (Masters) Bernard. On January 26, 1974, Bob married Cathy Jo Perry in Alexandria, VA. He served his country in the US Navy from 1972 to 1976, at the Defense Language Institute, Bolling AFB, WDC, where he was awarded the Joint Chief of Staff Medal and as a Master at Arms on the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. He was a 1979 Magna Cum Laude graduate of North Central Bible College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Studies. He attended the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, MO, where he received a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Literature and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL, where he received his Master of Divinity degree.

Pastor Bob began his full time ministry as the founder of Glad Tidings Assembly of God, DeKalb, IL in 1979. Since then, he has also pastored churches in Pontiac, IL; Crown Point, IN; Mason, MI; Freeport, MN (founder of Harvest Church); and Eagle Bend, MN. He traveled to South America and India teaching pastor's schools for young ministers. He also served as an adjunct professor for North Central University and the Minnesota District of the Assemblies of God School of Ministry. Pastor Bob had an undeniable love of teaching about Jesus and the Bible to everyone he would meet. While in Freeport, Pastor Bob drove school bus for the Albany Area School District. He especially enjoyed watching his students in their extra-curricular activities.

In recent years, Pastor Bob developed his trademark seasoning "Grillin' Magic" that he sold at craft fairs and online to help support his many mission projects. His family will continue to maintain this venture in his memory. He was an avid golfer and fisherman, often sharing his boat and helping many friends to catch that elusive "first ever" fish. He loved being "Papa" to his grandsons watching them play baseball and teaching them to fish.

Generations of families have been blessed and changed forever by the ministry and friendship of Pastor Bob. Whether family, church member, life-long friend, or neighbor from town; everyone was a friend and could always count on Pastor Bob for love, generosity, Godly counsel and encouragement. Every personal encounter he had ended with Pastor Bob making sure that he shared the love of Jesus' with whoever was around. It was his life's calling to ensure that everyone around him grew in the grace and knowledge of Jesus every day.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Robert Paul Bernard, Sr. and Donna Mae Bernard. He is survived by his devoted wife, Rev. Cathy Jo, daughter Rev. Donna Marie Falvo, (Rev. Joshua), son Rev. Robert Paul Bernard, III (Rev. Rachelle) and six grandsons Dominic, Dylan, Derek Falvo and Pauley (Robert IV), Payton, and Jackson Bernard, as well as his sister, Elizabeth Bernard, his maternal uncle, Bud (Marge) Masters and many beloved cousins.

Serving as casket bearers will be Bob Bernard III, Joshua Falvo, Rick Hellermann, Steve Danzl, Patrick Harrington, David Rambo, Robert Payne, and Patrick Jack. Honorary bearers will be Carl Norris, Robert Brommeling, Kurt Holm, Chuck Godding, Steve Norris, Aaron Norris, George Burnell, and Percy Kallevig.