Robert Chrissis

Robert 'Bob' Chrissis was born on September 11, 1925 son of Andrew and Margaret (Erdman) Chrissis. He attended Dilworth, MN, public schools where he loved to play drums, football, basketball and track until his senior year, when he enlisted in the US Navy during WWII.

Bob served on the Destroyer USS Halligan from 1943 through March, 1945. Bob's battle station was to operate 40mm cannon under numerous Kamikaze attacks when escorting carrier groups, including the USS Manilla Bay, as well as lead attack ships in the invasions of the Philippines and Iwo Jima. The Halligan was sunk by an enemy mine off the shore of Okinawa, leaving over half of his 300 crew members dead and Bob wounded. Bob received the Purple Heart from his hospital bed in Guam from Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Fleet, for injuries he received.

Bob returned from the war to recover from his injuries and finish his high school diploma when he met Florence Antoinette Knudtson, while she was managing three Fargo /Moorhead movie theaters. They were married in Moorhead, MN, on May 24, 1952, and were blessed with two sons, Andy and Randy. In 1966, Bob, Florence and the boys traveled to Duluth, MN, where they adopted infant son, Barrett, through Lutheran Social Services.

Bob worked for the US Postal Service on a train for two years before he began a 34 year career as a switchman for what later became Burlington Northern Railroad, out of the Dilworth yard office. Bob was a player/coach for the 'Dilworth Diesels,' amateur basketball team. He was a life-long charter member of the Dilworth Lions Club. Following his father's footsteps, Bob served on the Dilworth City Council for over 25 years. He particularly enjoyed representing Dilworth on the F-M Metropolitan Council of Governments, and as police commissioner for the City of Dilworth. Bob was a member of the Dilworth American Legion and a life-long member of the MN Democratic Farm Labor Party, where he was the endorsed candidate for State Representative in 1968.

Bob was known for his sense of humor, practical jokes, and ability to make friends.
Bob made many friends at Eventide while visiting Florence three times a day during the five years she lived there. He maintained those friendships to his dying day. He passed away in Sanford Health, Fargo, on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at 88 years of age. Blessed be his memory.

Bob is survived by sons, Andy (Connie) Chrissis of Vadnais Heights, MN, Randy (Renee) Chrissis of Glenwood, MN, and Barrett (Kristi) Chrissis of Buffalo, MN; seven grandchildren, Emily, Erik, Laura, Lacy, David, Sierra and Raya; five great-grandchildren (with one on the way); and sister, Caroline Thorson of Dilworth.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gregory, Nick, John; and sister, Angeline Tradewell.

Memorial Service: Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 2:30 PM, in Bottolfson Chapel of Eventide on 8th, Moorhead, MN. Burial: East Salem Cemetery, Hitterdal, MN, to follow.