Robert Osborne Blake

2023-04-23T19:26:11-05:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: Robert Osborne Blake
  • Location of Birth: Grand Forks, North Dakota
  • Date of Birth: January 22, 1924
  • Date of Death: November 6, 2007 (83 years old)
  • Parents: George and Alma Black
  • High School and Class:
  • College: Duluth Business College - Duluth, Minnesota
  • Highest Rank: SC1 (Ship's Cook 1st Class Petty Officer)
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: July 6, 1943 (Enlistment Date)
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: December 14, 1945 (Discharge Date)
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Information in the United States, World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
    Name: Robert Osborne Blake
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Age: 18
    Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
    Birth Date: January 22, 1924
    Birth Place: Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
    Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: June 30, 1942
    Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Employer: James Benoit - Crystal Springs Resort
    Height: 5' 2"
    Weight: 120
    Complexion: Dark Brown
    Hair Color: Black
    Eye Color: Hazel
    Next of Kin: George Blake
    Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification: appendicitis scar and scar on left cheek

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Robert grew up and attended schools in Detroit Lakes and Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was a veteran of World War II having served in the South Pacific.

    Robert was employed as an electrician for Local 294 until his retirement. He was a member and usher at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Cooties, and the American Legion all in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and a member of IBEW Local 294 in Hibbing, Minnesota.

    He enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing or working with wood outdoors, for he loved heating with wood. He was also active in the DFL. He also enjoyed watching the blue birds.

    Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Mable "Tish"; his brothers Gerald and Wallace; and grandson Michael Blake.

    Robert is survived by two daughters, Shelley (Dan) Travis and Roberta (Brian) McDonald; two sons, Richard (Kathleen) and Curtis (Patricia); six sisters, Norma Miller, Betty Graham, Donna Brown, Georgia Meade, Barba Rizzo, and Diane Brenden; two brothers, Douglas and John; thirteen grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

    Buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-D-24-0-7)

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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