Robert Merle Westergard

Robert Merle Westergard, 93 of La Crescent, MN passed away at his home on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Brookings, SD on May 22, 1921 to Peter W. and Clara M. (Borstad) Westergard. During his high school and college years in Brookings, he was an accomplished athlete – captain of his basketball team, South Dakota state champion swimmer, and won many medals in track.
Bob began his career in aviation when he obtained his pilot’s license in 1940. He joined the Marines in 1942 and flew PV-1’s in the South Pacific with the First Marine Night Fighters Squadron VMF(N)531 in World War II. Bob met Mary Irene Smith while he was a student at South Dakota State University. Bob and Irene were married on August 14, 1943 in Cherry Point, NC where Bob was stationed. Following the war, he returned to civilian life, completed his education, and in 1946 he and Irene were the first married couple to graduate from SDSU. Bob became a high school teacher for one year and then deciding his future was in aviation, he returned to the Marine Corps for a three-year tour of duty.
Shortly after becoming a pilot with Mid Continent Airlines, Bob joined Wisconsin Central Airlines on April 16, 1952, which later became North Central Airlines, then Republic Airlines, then Northwest Airlines, and Delta Airlines today. Captain Westergard retired from Republic Airlines on May 21, 1981. Bob and Irene raised their children in Bloomington, MN and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1977. In 2001 they moved to La Crescent, MN to be closer to family. Throughout his life Bob enjoyed bird hunting, golfing (2 handicap!), spending time with his family, and spending many hours studying and investing in the stock market.
Bob is survived by his four daughters, Becky (Jack) Elder of Benicia, CA, Kathy (Greg) Schmoll of Sycamore, IL, Jane Diaz (Joe Augustino) of La Crescent, and Stacy Dawson (Scott Minegar) of La Crescent; thirteen grandchildren, Dustin (Ramona) Elder, Nathan (Kris) Elder, Tara (Mark) Shamia, Sarah Schmoll (Jeremy Liebhaber), Mary (Matt) Hall, Andy Schmoll (Colleen Edwards), Jack Schmoll, Tasha (Fred) McCormick, Corey (Danielle) Diaz, Kendra Diaz, Cody Dawson, Rylee Dawson and Kennedie Dawson; and seventeen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard Westergard, a sister-in-law, Kay Westergard, his sister, Bonnie Snyder, and a brother-in-law, Leon Snyder.
Memorial services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Prince of Peace Church, 21 N. Hill St., La Crescent, MN with Pastor Mike Woods officiating. Friends and family may call on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time the service. Military honors will follow the service. Burial will be at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.