Robert E. Zylstra

Robert “Bob” Zylstra was born March 26, 1942 to parents Joe Zylstra and Margaret Groendyke Zylstra in Worthington, MN. In 1944 the family moved to a farm south of Currie, MN. In 1948 Joe and Margaret purchased a 160-acre farm north of Worthington. Later the family lovingly referred this as the “Home Farm”. Bob attended Public School in Worthington and graduated from High School in 1960. Bob continued his education at the Worthington Junior College. He got his AA Degree is Business and Accounting. Both during high school and college Bob worked at Flower Lane doing floral arrangements and delivery.

After college Bob got a job at Armour & Co. in the Accounting Department. Armour had opened a pork processing plant in Worthington in 1960, and Bob was excited to use his accounting degree there.

Bob loved cars. He and brother Corliss bought a mint Model T. Bob, being Bob, decided to modify it by lengthening the frame and putting in a V-8 motor. It was a real “hot rod”. His car was a Ford Mustang, one of the first in the area.

Bob was in the United States Army Reserves. The 452nd was a Quarter Supply Company trained to take inventory and make sure military troops had the supplies needed to carry out their mission. In 1968 the 452nd was deployed to Vietnam. Being Corliss (Cork) was already in Vietnam, Bob had the choice of staying state side, or going with the company. Bob served in the Army in Vietnam for one year. Bob was discharged from the Army with rank of Staff Sargent, and was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.

Upon returning State Side, Bob used the G.I. bill to attend Mankato State University. Bob continued his studies in Business and Accounting. With degree in hand, Bob was waiting to hear job offers from Armour’s home office in Arizona and Winnebago in Forest City Iowa, in the accounting division. While waiting for job offers, Bob was doing temporary jobs in the Mankato area.

On Oct. 2, 1971, Bob was in an accident and incurred brain injuries. On Oct. 3rd, the family made the tough decision to remove Bob from Life-support. Bob was 29 years old and survived by his wife Peggy, stepson Steven, and immediate family.