Robert Jorgensen, age 79, of Huron, passed away on December 14, 2024 while under hospice care at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, SD.

A private family service will be held with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron.

View Robert's Memorial Folder

Robert Eugene Jorgensen was born on December 19, 1944, to Christian and Lorraine (Vollenweider) Jorgensen in Huron, SD. He graduated from Huron High School in 1963 and attended Huron College.

On April 29, 1966, Bob married Rhonda Eberlein and together they had two daughters, Dawn and Debra.

During high school, Bob worked for the Game, Fish and Parks Department and in construction. He joined the South Dakota Army National Guard and served in the 153rd Engineer Battalion out of Huron for six years. During his time in the Guard, Bob participated in constructing bridges and roads in Custer State Park. Bob worked in the railroad industry from 1965 to 2005, during which he served in a variety of positions. He started off as a Carman for Chicago and Northwestern Transportation Company, then advanced to Assistant Car Foreman, then Foreman. He also worked in the Roundhouse and in the Bridge and Building crew during periods of layoff from the Car Department. He started as Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer on Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroads. He concluded his career in 2005 working as Manager of Cars and Equipment.

Bob was a member of the American Legion and was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He and Rhonda competed and won multiple trapshooting championships. Bob's hobbies also included woodworking and various building projects; some of the ice houses he built might still be found around Huron.

Robert is survived by his wife, Rhonda of Huron; daughters Dawn Foiles of Huron and Debra (Randy) Ernst of Sioux Falls; grandchildren Laura (Mike Thompson) Foiles of Sioux Falls, Katie Foiles of Brookings, Robert (Danielle) Foiles of Sioux Falls, Jacob (Whitney) Foiles of White, Emily Foiles of Moldova; great-grandchildren Aurora Foiles, Thomas Foiles and Aiden Thompson; sister-in-law, Stephanie (Ken) Mason of Georgia.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents and many uncles, aunts and cousins.