Robert "Bob" Allen Cleveland

About Bob

Rev. Robert (“Bob”) Allen Cleveland (née Zabriskie) went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 8, 2020, at the age of 86. Bob was born on April 15, 1935 in Dallas, TX to Rev. Howard Z. and Carrie Evelyn (Higley) Cleveland. He graduated high school from Hampden DuBois Academy in Zellwood, FL in May 1953, spent three years at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, and finished his college education at what is now Oak Hills Bible College in Bemidji, MN, graduating in May, 1958.

He married his college sweetheart, Lorraine Ina Widmark of Bagley, MN on June 7th, 1958. They were married for 49 years. She passed in October 2007, and Bob married Anne Marie Campbell of Calgary, Alberta in November 2008. Anne passed in January 2020.

Bob was first and foremost, a man whose goal was to serve God and honor Him with all he had. He pastored several churches in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Calgary, Alberta. God used him to bring many, many people to a right relationship with God.

He was a wonderful role model of what it is to be a husband and father. He had a life-long passion for foreign missions and served for several years on the board of what is now World Venture.

Sometimes known as Pastor Bob, Cowboy Bob, or “Slick,” wherever he went he filled the room with his presence, his cowboy boots, his laughter & jokes, and his love for people. Bob had a happy, positive personality and a zest for life with a “no holds barred” attitude which made him fearless on the ski slopes or doing stunts while water skiing.

He served many years as camp director for Camp Chamisall, the Alliance youth camp in Alberta, where he was known for doing humorous skits and stunts as his alter-ego, “Slick.”

Bob also loved music and played trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as singing baritone in many quartets and choirs, including the Grace Chapel Quartet of Bagley, MN.

Bob is survived by sisters - Elaine (Stan) Dodds, Elizabeth “Betty/Lou” (George) Griggs, Alice “Kitty” (Nolan) Allen, daughters- Debbie (Tim) Johnson, Kathy (Mark) Abercrombie, step-sons - Ross (Nancy) Campbell, Scott Campbell, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

memorial service

Celebration of Life for Bob

December 14, 2021

Location: First Alliance Church, Calgary. The service will be recorded for viewing online, and a link will be posted later. A Minnesota memorial service will be held in the summer of 2022.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home