Robert E. "Bob" Metcalf

Robert "Bob" Metcalf, age 83 of Hastings, died peacefully on Tuesday morning, November 30, 2021, at Highland Chateau Health and Rehab Center in St. Paul. Robert Emmett, the son of Howard and Mabel (Meyers) Metcalf, was born on August 25, 1938, in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. He attended Sacred Heart School for 12 years. After graduation Bob enlisted in the ND National Guard in Grand Forks in 1956. He joined the US Army 14 Jan 1958. Upon discharge in 1961 he joined the East Grand Forks police department as a patrol officer. In 1966 he was hired by the Hastings Police Department where he eventually became a detective. In 1972 he was chosen as the Chief of Police in Farmington, MN. During his term as Chief he served as President of the Minnesota Police Chiefs Association for 2 years. He retired from Law Enforcement in 1982. He was united in marriage to Dianne Carter on 28 August 1981 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Throughout his law enforcement career he remained in the National Guard. After retiring from Law Enforcement, he was hired as an Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) soldier and served in the 47th Military Police Company which ultimately became the 34th Military Police Company. He retired from active duty in August 1998 as a 1st Sgt. During his AGR career he was able to go to Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Norway, Korea and Alaska. During both careers Bob drove school bus part time. After retiring from the Guard he started driving motor coach for the Minnesota Coaches bus company. His trips covered almost the entire country. During this same time he truly enjoyed driving bus for the Hastings HS football team as well. He loved to watch those games. He gave up driving when his health began to fail. Bob enjoyed watching the Vikings and going to the games. He enjoyed pheasant hunting with his dog Rosie. Travel was always in the plan. He enjoyed boating on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. He loved a good beer and he liked to play bingo at the Legion. For many years he and Dianne traveled to Hawaii during the winter and then decided 10 years ago that South Padre Island, TX was a great place to winter. Bob was active in many organizations over the years , most notably; The American Legion (Nelson-Lucking Post 47) where he was a life member and served in varied positions as well as Commander. He was a life member of The Enlisted Association of The National Guard of the United States. He was a member of the VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210, The Minnesota Police Chiefs Association, The FBI National Academy, The Knights of Columbus and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church where he and Dianne were longtime members. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sons, Robert Jr. and Daniel; siblings, Margaret, Jack, Fritze, Irene, Howie, Bill, Joe, and Patty; and by his stepson, Patrick Ketelboeter. Bob is survived by his wife, Dianne; children, John (Rise) Metcalf, Michelle Metcalf, Robert Metcalf Jr., and Christine (Patrick) Cornelius; grandchildren, Jennifer (Eric) Kabat, Amber Mann, John Metcalf Jr., Brandon Metcalf, Katie (Logan) Mahler, Kristin Rosario, Samantha (Matt) Berven, Benjamin Wood, Stephanie (Ryan) Lindberg, and Cheney Adair; nineteen great grandchildren; siblings, Rosie O'Leary, Maureen Schreder, Catherine Anderson, and Terry Metcalf; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, December 15, 2021, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, and for one hour prior to Mass at church on Thursday morning. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in memory of Bob. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.