Robert (Bob) Paul Taylor, age 87, of Huron, died peacefully Wednesday, November 16, at SunQuest Health Care Center in Huron, South Dakota.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish. Interment will follow at St. Martin's Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. A Rosary Service will follow at 7 p.m.

Bob was born April 15, 1929, in Bonesteel, SD, to Nora and Paul Taylor.  He was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith on April 21, 1929, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Bonesteel.
A graduate of Bonesteel High School, he entered the United States Navy in January of 1951 and served in the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. LSMR 412.  He was honorably discharged in 1954, having received the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (3 stars), Korean Presidential Unit Citation, China Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  His rank was Commissaryman Second Class.

After his service, Bob enrolled in the University of South Dakota where he received his bachelor's of science degree and master's degree in educational administration. He also received his specialist degree from USD in 1975.

Bob married his wife, Janine Johnson, on June 5, 1956, in Colome, South Dakota. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June. They have four children: Anne, Mary, Jean and John.

After graduating from the university, Bob and Janine moved to Lemmon, SD, where he served seven years in the school district as a teacher, counselor and high school principal. They moved to Huron with their four children in 1965 when Bob was named curriculum director for the school district.  He then served 11 years as assistant superintendent and was named superintendent of schools in 1981. Bob loved the Huron community and was extremely proud of the students, staff, teachers and administrators of the school district. He retired in 1991 and enjoyed being a spectator at many athletic and community events. Bob truly enjoyed visiting with everyone he met.

In addition to his career in education, he was an active member of St. Martin's and Holy Trinity Catholic parishes. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Affairs. He served on the Salvation Army board and was county chairman of the Beadle County Society for Crippled Children and Adults. He was also a past member of the Huron Chamber of Commerce and was president of the SD Easter Seal Society, and President of the School Administrators of South Dakota.  He belonged to many other organizations.

Bob enjoyed spending his leisure time gardening, visiting with friends and family, traveling, and helping others. He was always thankful for the life that he was given.

Bob is survived by his wife, Janine of SunQuest Village in Huron; daughters, Anne (Charlie Henderson) of Kyle, TX, Mary Palmer (Rich) of Willmar, MN, Jean Smith (Troy), of Sparta, NJ; son, John (Jill Taylor), of Huron; grandchildren, Taylor Smith of Minneapolis, MN, Paul Smith of St. Louis, MO, Daniel Smith and Paige Smith of Sparta, NJ; his sister, Norma Peters (Paul), of Oregon; his sisters-in-law, Janice Keller of Marshall, WI and Jean Johnson of Normal, IL; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Jean Nelson and Marge Thomson; brothers-in-law, Junior Thomson, Carney Nelson, James Keller, Gussie Johnson, Bob Johnson, Myles Johnson, and Pat Johnson; sisters-in-law, Blanche Johnson and Maggie Nelson.