Robert "Bob" Mclaughlin

Robert “Bob” McLaughlin, 69, of Westport, SD, passed away Friday, August 16, 2024, at Abbot Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.

Visitation with family present will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024, at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center. Refreshments will be served.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Robert “Bob” McLaughlin was born to William and Dorothy (Klipfel) McLaughlin on January 29, 1955, in Akron, Ohio. When his parents divorced, Dorothy moved to Aberdeen, SD, with her sons Chuck and Bob. Bob attended local schools and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1973.

After high school, Bob worked several local odd jobs in construction and the service industry. He was united in marriage to Loretta Griess on September 25, 1976, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, and in 1985 they made their home in Westport, SD.

In 1985, Bob became more interested in the construction industry and decided to branch out and start his own independent contractor construction business. He was dedicated to his business for almost 40 years until August 2023, when Bob retired due to heart health complications.

In his childhood, Bob’s father taught him and his brother how to catch turtles that were bothering local farmers and their livestock, and this is something he enjoyed doing occasionally in his adult life as well. Bob loved fishing, especially at the river with Loretta. He also loved deer hunting.

Bob is survived by his wife of 47 years, Loretta of Westport, SD, and many nieces and nephews in the Minneapolis area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Chuck McLaughlin, and half-sister Diane Libby.