Robert J. Hackel

On Sunday June 14, 2009, Robert (Bob) Joseph Hackel, age 77, died suddenly in Hastings, MN. He enjoyed his summers in Hastings with family, and spent his winters in Dunedin, Florida following his retirement. His enthusiasm for life was evident in the many friendships he made along his life path. For those who knew Bob, he was one of a kind. He was known for his corny jokes, his love of telling a good story, and giving unsolicited golfing tips to perfect strangers. He was an original Packer fan and wore the Gold and Green with pride. When it came to the Vikings games, if the Pack was not contending, he rooted for the opposing team. Bob grew up in Minneapolis and served his country in the Korean War. Bob met and married Kathryn Lyman of Winsted, MN in 1955. Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Engineering. He was employed with Sperry Univac for over 35 years where he contributed to the evolution of computer technology - watching computers progress from filling an entire building to being held in the palm of the hand. He was a member of the Aqua Jesters Clown Club and participated in many parades and benefit events bringing joy to the lives of thousands of children. Some of his favorite characters he created were Yipes Stripes and The Hobo. He was also given the unique opportunity to play one of the very first Ronald McDonald clowns in the Midwest. (Don't tell your kids, but he was also Santa Clause). He filled his entire South Minneapolis back yard with Dahlias, much to the disappointment of his neighbors on 44th Ave. Bob, ahead of his time, didn't believe in lawns. Space that wasn't filled with flowers contained vegetables and herbs. He won many State Fair awards with his colorful floral arrangements through the annual Minnesota Dahlia Society flower show. A competitor at heart, he also entered several state fair baking contests with his creative recipes including an original Sunflower Seed Cookie. A self-taught man, Bob was a roofer, a plumber, an electrician and a carpenter in his spare time. A phone call away, he would gather his tools to help anyone with a construction crisis. The last time he packed his tool bag was for a volunteer project with a Christian organization called the People of Praise Indianapolis Action Project, returning from this two week trip the day before he died. Bob dedicated his life to God and shared his love of God and his faith with his family and any one he met. Preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Mary Frances, he is survived by his wife Kathryn (nee Lyman), his children, Jane Jacobsen (Craig Spiegel), Maureen Martin (Mike), Kathleen Conroy (Richard), Richard (Julie), Ellen Schmitz (Tim), Carol Horton (Tony) and special niece Rose Seifert (Tom). Loved by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Emily, Katelyn, Taylor, Micah, Chris, Kirstin, Grace, Becky, Joe, Ryan, Megan, Jon (Kelly), Ben, Josie, Katie, Kayla, Kai, Julian, John and Joe Seifert. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 18 , at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th St., Hastings. Visitation will be Wed. from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at the Wise Family Funeral Home, 400 Spring St. Hastings and 1 hour prior to the mass at church. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The pallbearers are his children. The Wise Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.