Robert "Bob" H. Bymers

Robert “Bob” Bymers, age 95, of Glenwood, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Glenwood Village Care Center, with Lucille, his wife of 71 years, by his side. A Memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, February 19th, at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Krista Lee officiating. Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the service. Services will be livestreamed at glenwoodlutheran.com. Inurnment will be at a later date. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Bob was born on the family farm near Ellendale, ND on November 5th, 1930 to Cornelius and Nellie (Kerr) Bymers. He was the youngest of four children.

Bob’s education began at the Van Meter rural school – eventually transferring to town school in Ellendale. At the age of 16, he became very ill with polio. With diligent care from his mother and St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen, he survived with no lifelong complications. After his struggle with polio, Bob left school his junior year. He then returned to EHS and graduated in 1951. Bobby could run – winning the state title in the 100- and 220-yard dashes in 1950. Their team also won the ND State Track and Field Championship. This was quite an accomplishment considering all he had been through.

In 1951, Bob entered the United States Marine Corps where he served for 2 years before receiving an honorable medical discharge for hearing loss, which he struggled with the remainder of his life. Bob was very active in the American Legion serving in the color guard at many parades and funerals.

At Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN, on a very cold January 9th in 1955, Bob married Lucille Schwarz. They had four children, all born in Ellendale.

Bob farmed near Ellendale until the mid-1960s when he took a position at the Ellendale school as a custodian. In less than a year he was the head of maintenance and earned his certification for a boiler license. Bob and Lucille moved their family to Minnesota in 1972. Bob continued as head of maintenance at Royalton, Granite Falls, and eventually Glenwood MN. After retiring, he worked for an area farmer and oversaw the maintenance and custodial duties at St John’s Lutheran in Villard.

In 1984 Bob and Lucy moved to their home on Lake Amelia, residing there for nearly 20 years. Bob enjoyed the pontoon, playing horseshoes, bonfires, visits from the grandchildren and woodworking. In 1996 they became snowbirds, traveling to Mesa AZ every winter for 19 years. They had a wonderful time playing cards, dancing and entertaining friends and family.

Bob’s faith in God and dedication to his family were integral to how he lived his full and rewarding life. He was blessed with many lifelong friendships.

Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Lucille; daughters, Judy (Bob) Soderholm of Pine River, Janell (Dan) Hoffman of Melrose, Joan (Alan) Baker of Brookings SD, and son, Brian (Jan) Bymers of McKinney TX; three brothers-in-law and their wives, Leonard (Pixie) Schwarz, Lloyd (Marge) Schwarz, and Larry (MaryJo) Schwarz; 13 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gwendolyn Bymers and Kathlyn (Don) Heaton; brother, Keith (Shirley German) Bymers; his wife’s parents, Gilbert and Meta Schwarz; sisters and brothers in-law, Luella and Ken Hintermeister; Linda and Jay DePaolo, Terri Schwarz; sons-in-law, Michael Hegerfeld and Scott Hempel; and nephews, Keith Bymers and Carl Heaton.

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