Robert Emery Branson, 79, of Edina, Minnesota, passed away on April 28, 2013, in Barrington, Illinois.
He was born February 5, 1934, in Amarillo, Texas to William and Agnes Branson. Robert attended Amarillo High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and played the clarinet, and both Amarillo College and The University of Texas, where he graduated with degrees in Engineering and Sales. Following college, Robert moved to San Francisco and entered the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School and served his country with the rank of Lieutenant. While living in San Francisco, he married Marilyn Hall at Ft. Mason Chapel in 1964. He was also an active Mason.
Shortly afterwards, Robert and Marilyn moved to Edina, MN, where he worked for W.R. Grace in the Chemical Products Division and they raised their two daughters. Robert was also a member of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, he held leadership positions in Sales and Marketing Executives of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and was an active participant at Edina Rotary.
Robert is survived by his daughters, Stephanie (Pete) Douglas and Suzanne (Stephen) Harrison and grandsons Charlie and Drew Douglas and Gavin Williams. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, and his parents.
Memorial service will be held Friday at 1:30 pm at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Avenue South, Minneapolis. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Church. Private interment, Lakewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, Youth Services.