Robert Merle Nye

A Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather

Robert Merle Nye, age 74, of White Bear Lake, MN passed away April 17th, 2024 under the care of hospice. He was surrounded by his children.

Robert was born on June 15th, 1949 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Merle “Smokey” and Marie Nye. As a child, he attended St Phillips Catholic School, grades 1-8 and then later graduated from De LaSalle High School in 1967.

After high school, Robert went to the University of MN for a year. Then at 19 years old he enlisted in the Army. He started in Artillery and then moved to Airborne. He served his country over in Vietnam for 10+ months. He was then honorably discharged.

After the army, he began his career with the Soo Line Railroad as a laborer (apprentice) and completed his apprenticeship to become a pipefitter. During transition, he also worked for CP Rail and lastly Burlington Northern, before his retirement in 2009.

One day in 1971, he went to a party and met the love of his life, Kathryn Gilbertson. They were married October 20th, 1973. Together they had one son and two daughters.

Robert was a wonderful husband and father. He worked hard his whole life to provide for his family. Every summer, we took a family vacation. Some of our best memories were made on those camping trips to Bemidji/St Croix, or the RV trip to Florida, or the houseboat on the Great Lakes or…

During their marriage, he took a lot of pride in creating an outdoor oasis with his wife at their home in East Bethel, MN. It was complete with multiple gardens, pathways, a greenhouse, water features and birdhouses galore.

After retirement, his wife and him were able to enjoy some traveling before his health declined. Then they were able to enjoy their time together.

Robert also found joy in reading, reading everything from Louis L’Amour to Dean Koontz. He was also a fan of crosswords, often doing them confidently in pen. Cribbage was also a shared favorite activity. It was appreciated when he was a gracious winner. In his later years, he found joy in watching movies.

The last year of his life held a bit of a cloak of sadness for him since the unexpected loss of his wife in April 2023. He found joy in some things or the company of some people but how he missed her was evident. He was able to join her less than one year later. The thought of their heavenly reunion and the release of his failing body in to the arms of Our Lord brings both tears and smiles. Every time we left his place in the last year, his final words to us would be “Love you.” Our final words to you, always and forever, will be “Love you too, Dad.”

He is survived by his children: Brian (Jessica) Nye, Jennifer (Ryan) Nye, and Brenda (Andrew) Petcoff; his grandchildren: Owen, Mark, Benjamin, Zoey, Griff, and Jax; and many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife: Kathryn Nye and his parents Merle and Marie Nye.

Special Thanks to the staff of the Waters of White Bear Lakes and Gentiva Hospice. Some went above and beyond in their exceptional care, you know who you are.

memorial service

There will be no service. It was Robert’s wish to be cremated and have a small memorial with immediate family.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services