Robert Ralph Crawford, 92, Minot, died Wednesday, February 4, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

Robert was born on November 6, 1916 in Storm Lake, Iowa to Clair and Audrey (Falconer) Crawford. He was reared on a farm near Lisbon, ND and graduated from Lisbon, High School in 1935. As a young adult, he moved to Donnybrook, ND and was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Kenmare, ND for almost three years. He moved to Granville, ND in 1939 and it was here that he met his future wife. Robert joined the ND Army National Guard in 1940 and transferred to the United States Army in 1941. He was stationed at Fort Warren, WY; Fort Lewis, WA; and Camp Beale, CA prior to serving in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. He received his honorable discharge at Fort McCoy in October of 1945.

Robert was united in marriage to Mildred Lee on October 18, 1941 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The family resided in California while he was completing his military service. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Robert returned to Minot. He was employed by Bridgeman Creamery as a salesman and truck driver for over thirty-two years. He retired in 1978. Most recently, they had resided at Edgewood vista for two months and Trinity Homes for the past ten months.

Robert was a member of First Lutheran Church in Minot, ND and a former member of the Minot American Legion Post #26 and the Teamsters Union local. His hobbies and special interests included gardening, reading and he was an avid sports fan.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Mildred; Daughter: Sheryl (Larry) Franklin, Mina SD; Grandchildren, Tammy Liebelt, Tiffany Wilson, Erick Crawford and Sandy Crawford; Great Grandchildren, Kayla and Austin Liebelt; Parker and Peri Wilson; Brother, Bill (Marion) Crawford, Minot, ND; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary Crawford; granddaughter: Sheila; sisters: Helen Thompson and Joan Cervantes and brothers: Kenneth, and Donald Crawford.

Funeral: Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church, Minot;
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot;
Visitation: Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot;
Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church.