Robert "Bob" Havard

Robert F. “Bob” Havard, age 81 of Albany, went to join our Lord on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 9 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area in Albany. Parish prayers will be at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Gathering Area.

Robert Francis Havard was born March 24, 1942 in Rock Rapids, Iowa to Robert and Cordelia Havard. He grew up in Salem, South Dakota and attended 12 years at St. Mary’s Catholic School. He attended Dakota State College in Madison, South Dakota, then known as General Beadle State College, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts. Bob met Connie Bousfield in college and the couple married on August 21, 1965 at St. Mary’s in Salem, South Dakota. Later Bob earned a master’s degree in industrial education from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Robert taught industrial arts in Humboldt, South Dakota then moved to Cosmos, Minnesota and in 1970, moved to Albany, Minnesota. He taught at the Albany Area Schools for 29 years, teaching mainly industrial arts and later in social studies and physical education. After retiring from teaching, he was owner/operator of Havard Construction in Albany. Bob was proud of constructing the family home and also two other homes. He did carpentry projects in the area for several years. Also, Bob was very proud to teach many cabinet shops and carpentry owners in the area.

Bob grew up hunting pheasants and loved duck and goose hunting, as well as deer hunting. He also enjoyed open water and ice fishing. He could be found watching any football games and talking about playing ball in high school and college himself. He was an avid gardener and preserved many tomato products. Cooking was his favorite and making stir fry dishes and soups were his specialties. He also made banana bread and loved giving loaves as gifts. He was a great problem solver in building and remodeling and loved playing cards too!

He was a very optimistic person and a man of faith. He was a member of Seven Dolors Parish in Albany and served on the committee for the Senior Center in Albany. His favorite color was green and always said, “I want green!”  Also, he was very fond of coffee and would enjoy several cups every day.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Connie Havard of Albany; children, Karen (Grant) Jansons of Elk River, Kevin of Belle Plaine, and Kristen (Kevin) Schauer of Glencoe; granddaughters known as “Grandgirls!”, Ally Jansons, Paige Jansons, Katrina Simonette, Naomi Barnes, Harmony Jansons, and Elsie Joy Schauer; siblings, James (Sandy) Havard of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Mary Havard of Minneapolis; and many nieces and nephews 

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Jerry Havard, Ronald, and Patricia Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite local charity.