This is a story about a man who loved to drive.  Whether pointing out deer while driving  along a gravel road at sunset, or cruising day and night on a cross-country trek. The view from the driver’s seat was Bob Lundstrom’s preferred aspect.  Driving a Land O’Lakes milk truck for 30+ years was a career that was almost as suited to Bob as he for it.

An undeterred explorer of unmapped country roads in search of scenic views, Bob was uniquely skilled in gently challenging another person to consider a different perspective.  He was also a contemplative man who could comfortably be alone with himself for many miles.  However, Bob sincerely embraced the people he met along his routes, reveling in the meetings, greetings, visiting, and especially celebrating.  And because Bob was such a captivating storyteller and naughty joke-teller, people were generally as happy to see him as he was to see them.  Years of these encounters honed Bob’s natural skills as a keeper and sharer of family lore and hometown history, which endeared him to those he encountered all the more.

Robert Romaine Lundstrom’s travels began on June 22nd 1926, born to Ole & Annie (Gilbertson) Lundstrom in Clarissa, MN.  His parent's early deaths, left Bob to be raised by a hardworking yet loving aunt and uncle, Ben and Emily Peterson.
 His service in the U.S. Army began in September of 1944 and sailed him across the Atlantic during WWII, for which he was  decorated with the bronze star for bravery in combat.  Bob was especially thrilled to embark on his most recent road trip from Minnesota to Bozeman, MT to celebrate his grandson’s college graduation.

Let it be said that Bob loved his wife, Ethel (Kopp), even more than he loved to drive. Their 62 year love story began not long before October 18th , 1947 when he married the beautiful young woman whom he’d previously referred to as “the bratty neighbor kid.”  They made their home in Browerville and raised three children together: Ross (Jean) Lundstrom of Port Charlotte, FL; Alan (Connie) Lundstrom of Paynesville, MN; and Dawn (Michael) Brennan of Cambridge, MN.  They also have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who were graced with a loving grandfather for as many as 33 years: Adam & Jennifer Lundstrom (Anna); Abby & Christopher Russi (Isaac); Andrew & Sonya Lundstrom (Wyatt, Roman); Shea Brennan; Carl Lundstrom; and Rhea Brennan.  Bob often expressed his pride in his family’s ability to “have a really good time together.”  There is no doubt that Bob’s very own fun loving nature and faithful example were the foundation for the family culture he was so proud of.