From: Dwain "Pete" Petersen

MANKATO,  MN

Message:
I served as a Lt. Governor with Bob in 1988=89 and saw his obituary in the Mankato Free Press. Our condolences to the family. He will be missed. Pete sends. . . Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Carole & Dwain "Pete" Petersen, AKtion Club Administrators MNDAK District of Kiwanis International 124 Sapphire Ct Mankato, MN 56001

From: David Blinn

Cloquet,  MN

Message:
My condolences to all of Bob's family. It was my priviledge to have worked for Mr. Bakken at Wrenshall at the beginning of my career. Bob was a man of kindness and integrity. His devotion to students and staff was contagious. He honored everyone, teacher and student alike, with his unconditional friendship and support. He has been, and will continue to be, fondly remembered at WHS.

From: Char & Don Franzen

Cloquet,  Mn.

Message:
Dear Gerry and family....Our sympathy to you at this most difficult time. I don't know your address so can't send condolences. I pray God holds you close and helps you recall precious memories that will now become your treasures. May He bless you all with His peace and strength in the days ahead. Remembering both of you at Our Savior's. With friendship and caring, Char and Don(Franzen)

From: DAVE BERG

WATRVILLE,  MN

Message:
WE ARE SORRY TO HEAR OF BOB'S PASSING. AT A TIME LIKE THIS, IT IS COMFORTING FOR THE FAMILY TO KNOW THAT HE HAS GONE TO A BETTER PLACE AND THAT YOUR FAMILY IS IN THE HEARTS AND PRAYERS OF FRIENDS. MAY GOD BLESS HIS MEMORY. DAVE AND MURIEL BERG

From: Russ, Nancy & Izak Domonoske

Elysian,  MN

Message:
To Jon, Mary & family-Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our deepest sympathy, The Domonoske's

From: Gene and Zona Turja

Duluth,  MN.

Message:
Gerry, Extending our sympathy to you and your family after reading of Bob's death. I'm remembering you especially from our Support Group in Cloquet sharing about our daughters Sharon and Nancy. Did you know that our daughter Terry died July 9, 2007? She struggled for all of her 54 years. She was so devastated when Sharon died. May God richly bless you in the coming days. Sincerely, Zona and Gene Turja formerly of Esko

From: Jim and Carol Hongisto

Wrenshall,  MN

Message:
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family. Mr. Bakken was one of our favorite instructors at Esko High School. He was always encouraging, helpful and above all, kind. You are in our prayers.

From: Walt Fischer

Duluth,  MN

Message:
My sympathy is extended to the family of Robert Bakken. As a collegue principal next door (Carlton), a fellow Kiwanian, a member of the Dist. 26 Committee MSHSL, Northeast Principals MASSP,we traveled together a lot. I shared his sorrow when he lost Sharon and I shared his joy with the good things that happened at the Wrenshall School. God Bless You! Walt Fischer

From: Shar Chapinski

Cloquet,  MN

Message:
Mr. Bakken was a wonderful teacher and a very caring and kind person. I enjoyed him as my teacher at Esko. My sympathy to the family. Mr. Bakken will always be remembered!

From: Susie Wierimaa Janson

Duluth,  MN

Message:
My love to the Bakken family. Jon and Joel...I love you guys, even though Camp Vermilion days are many years past, there's still a very special place in my thoughts and prayers for the family I had way back then! May the Lord hold you all close during this time of grief as well as celebration of your dad's/husband's/grandpa's life!

From: Brian Haataja

Baudette,  MN

Message:
My sympathy to the family. Mr Bakken was also one of my favorite teachers at Esko. He commanded respect and also showed respect to all. Whenever I think of my High School days I remember Mr. Bakken as one of the best teachers and as a friend to all students.

From: Tobi Fameree

Saginaw,  MN

Message:
Dear Geri and family, I add my sympathy to you, and prayers for comfort during this time. I remember the good times shared at Kiwanis events, and know Al considered Bob a good friend. Tobi Fameree

From: Morrie Veilleux

New ichmond,  Wisconsin

Message:
Dear Mrs. Bakken, Joel and John: My heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your husband and father. Mr. Bakken was one of those very important people who made a difference early on in my life and later when I became an educator and had the good fortune to comeback to the school where I graduated and work with Mr. Bakken and K. B. as a teacher and a coach. Later on in life I decided to return to education I became an administrator and much of what I do today as I go about my duties on handling difficult situations, relating to students as an administrator, working with parents and staff came from my experiences working with Mr. Bakken. He was a kind and considerate gentlemen who was willing to deal with tough decisions, but always kept in mind what was best for the kids. He always had a smile on his face and his emphasis was always on "what's best for kids". My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great sorrow. Mr. Bakken made a difference in so many lives including mine during his time here on Earth. I am so grateful that our lives were connected and intertwined for so many years. I know I am a bbetter person for having kn own and worked with him. Morrie Veilleux District Administrator New Richmond Public Schools

From: Pastor Dennis and Jeanne Morreim

Coquet,  MN

Message:
Dear Friends, We send our words of sympathy to all of you. We cherish our days together at Our Saviors in Cloquet. May your family celebrate the many joyous memories of the special life lived with Bob as husband, father, grandfather, educator and more. We give thanks to God for the gifts Bob shared with all of us, young and old. May God's love and grace surround you and uphold you at this time of loss. A memorial has been given in memory and celebration of Bob's life to Camp Vermilion in Cook. Our prayers are with you. Peace, Pastor Dennis and Jeanne Morreim

From: Maxine R. Erickson

Wadena,  MN

Message:
Dear Geri and Family, I rec'd the message that Bob had gone "Home" from a friend in Cloquet. I remember all of the good times together in Cloquet. Lost tract of you for a few years, when we both moved away from Cloquet area. My Love is with you and the family. We both can bask in the fact Bob and Alfie both loved the Lord God and we will meet again someday, even though there is no marriage in Heaven. We will all be with our Lord God who takes care of us, gives us peace and lives within us. God keep you all safe in the Palm of His hand. LOVE, Maxine R. Erickson (Alfie)

From: Tricia (DeShaw) Swanson

Wrenshall,  MN

Message:
To the family of Mr. Bakken: My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Mr. Bakken was my principal when I attended Wrenshall School. He was always a very kind and caring man. His smile could light up a room! He instilled in us students great pride in our school which carries through in many of us today. I now work at Wrenshall School and we do speak often of the wonderful days of Mr. Bakken being our principal. May his kindness live on in your hearts forever.

From: Lori Houseman

Moorhead,  MN

Message:
My deepest sympathies to you Joel, Jan and family. I was sorry read about your father's death in the Forum. Your memories will bring you comfort in the days to come. Sincerely, Lori Houseman

From: Tim Bengtson

Elysian ,  MN

Message:
Jon, Mary & Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that the Bengtson family of Elysian love & respect you! Tim & Carrie

From: Don and Winnie Gustafson

Esko,  MN

Message:
To Geri---and Cinda, Jon, and Joe, and families, too---all our love and sympathy. Reading Bob's life story brought to mind our early years of Bob's and Don's teaching careers at Esko. As we talked with our kids, special memories easily came to mind---of living in the Duplex, and, of course, working together in the Igloo! Our lives definitely have been richer for knowing Bob and all of you. How hard to say goodbye to your good friend, husband and father. Msy you feel God's comfort and strength throughout these days. And may loving memories fill Bob's space in all your hearts. Don and Winnie Gustafson

From: Dave Keippela

Wyoming,  MN

Message:
Mrs.Bakken, Jon,Joel, My deepest sympathy on the passing of a great man. I had the privilege of being mentored by Mr. Bakken "Bob" for 14 years while a teacher at Wrenshall. Those were special times and memories I won't soon forget. My wife Barb had the honor of being taught by him as a student at Esko. Our prayers are with you all. "Keip"

From: Arnelda Southworth

Cloquet,  MN

Message:
My sympathy and prayers go out for the family of Bob Bakken. When I saw his smiling face in his obituary it brought back good memories of his years as High School principal at Wrenshall where I taught in the elementary school. My 18 year old son Craig had died 3 years previously when Sharon passed away. Occasionally I walk around Maple Grove Cemetary to visit the graves of all the children of my friends and acquaintances. I know exactly where Sharon's grave is; I will put a rose on her grave in honor of her father. Sincerely, Arnelda.

From: Cynthia MacDonald

St. Paul,  MN

Message:
Dear Mrs. Bakken and family, I have just learned of the loss of Mr Bakken -- just today actually which is quite amazing since it is exactly one year ago today that he passed. I graduated from Wrenshall High School in 1976, and Mr. Bakken was our high school principal during those critical years. Mr. Bakken was always a very special person to me, and to my siblings. What always stood out most to me about him was his kindness. Just one significant example of that was when I was a senior, he hired me to be kind of a part-time secretary for him, working a few hours a week so that I could have extra money to pay for all the things that seniors need to have. Only several years later did I find out that he had paid me out of his own pocket as a way to help out a young girl who came from a large family and in whom he saw promise. Knowing of his kindness to me touched me beyond measure, and I have tried to pay that forward in many ways, including even today working on behalf of economically challenged children. Mrs. Bakken, I don't know if you will remember this, but my two daughters, Lauren and Elizabeth, and I stopped by to visit with Mr. Bakken and you one Sunday afternoon in the summer of 2001 at your summer home in Clearwater, MN. I had long wanted to talk with him since he was not able to attend our class's 25th reunion that we had held a few weeks prior. My girls then were ages 6 and 9. Mr. Bakken gave them a ride on his golf cart around the area, and they had SO much fun together! And then, you entertained my girls to give Mr. B and I a chance to talk alone, especially about the old days at WHS. I have treasured that time and I remember wondering if it might be the last time I would see him. I was able then to tell him how much his life had meant to my own in those brief years. He also had a great sense of humor, and again, in my senior year, I distinctly remember him joining some of the male teachers (Cook, Veilleux and Keippela, as I recall!) in pretending that I was in big trouble with the principal because of practical joke that I and another student (Judy) had played on some of them. He called me down to his office, had the teachers there as well, and pretended to chastise me, only to reveal with laughter that this too was a practical joke on me! I am so very sad to learn of this great man's passing, and sad that I did not know of this at the time one year ago--I would have been one of those people who would have been honored to have spoken at his celebration of life. The impact Bob Bakken had on the lives of so many children is his legacy -- I know that he will live on in my heart forever. Cindy "Mac" Class of '76 Wrenshall High School Cynthia M. MacDonald, J.D. Chief Operating Officer Metropolitan Health Plan Minneapolis, MN June 6, 2009