Obituary of Robert Armstrong

Dr. Robert Earl Armstrong, retired Vice President of State Farm Insurance Companies died September 18, 2013, at the age of 96.

He was born and raised on a farm near El Paso, Illinois, where he graduated from high school. He then went on to work for State Farm Insurance Companies in 1935, where he spent his entire career of 46 1/2 years, except for 32 months spent on military leave during World War II. There he served as a pilot in the Army Air Force.

His State Farm career started in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1947, he and his family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where he helped set up a regional office. In 1959, he was appointed Deputy Regional Vice President. In 1971, he then transferred in that position to the Southeastern Region in Jacksonville, Florida. He retired there in 1982.

Dr. Bob was known as a great promoter of improving ones education, encouraged others to do so and set the example himself. He accomplished all his higher education while working full-time at State Farm. A graduate of Browns Business College, Bloomington, Illinois in 1936; Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Minnesota in 1957; Masters and Doctorate degrees from Nova University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, in 1977 and 1978.

In the way of insurance education in his profession, he completed Insurance Institute of America (IIA) certificate in 1941; Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter Professional Designation (CPCU) in 1952; Life Office Management Association Certificate (LOMA) in 1959; Life Insurance Agency Management Association Agency Officers School in 1959; Chartered Life Underwriter Professional Designation (CLU) in 1961.

He was a member of the American Society of Life Underwriters since 1961. A member of the local chapter of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters since 1952; he took a very active part being officer in the local chapter as well as serving on the National Board and Education Committee for 12 years; on Board of Directors of Junior Achievement for 12 years; on Police Civil Service Commission, Roseville, Minnesota, for 6 years. Bob was very active in the Catholic church and activities of his Parish, wherever he resided, the latest being Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Jacksonville, FL.

He was married on October 15, 1940 to the former, Irene Kathryn Sullivan (1921-2005). They have 4 children: Carole (Tommy) Gause of Jacksonville, FL; Tom (Sherry) Armstrong of Round a Rock, TX; Janice Jones of White Bear Lake, MN; and Jeanine (Patrick) Cunnien of North Oaks, MN.

10 grand-children: Julie (Mark) Hanna of Lancaster, CA; Mary (Noel) Pearch of St. John's, FL; Mike (Sandra) Gause of Mooresville, NC; Teresa Barton of a Winter Haven, FL; Tommy (Toie) Gause of Jacksonville, FL (1970-2009); Steve (Kelly) Kuechle of Saint Michael, MN; William Armstrong of Lake Elmo, MN; Mike (Alison) Armstrong of Stillwater, MN; Dawn (Don) Lundgren of Stacy, MN; Greg (Romey) Armstrong of Austin, TX.

18 great grand-children: Craig Pearch of Mooresville, NC; Chase (Rachel) Hanna of Lancaster, CA; Christina (Jeremy) Mason of Oceanside, CA; Erica Kuechle of Mankato, MN; Morgan Hanna of Lancaster, CA; Alex Kuechle of Saint Michael, MN; Rachel Gause of Mooresville, NC; Seth Hanna of Lancaster, CA; Ryan Kuechle of Saint Michael, MN; Ryan Gause of Mooresville, NC; Hanna Gause of Middleburg, FL; Logan Lundgren of Stacy, MN; Sydney Armstrong of Stillwater, MN; Carson Armstrong of Austin, TX; Lydia Armstrong of Stillwater, MN; Carina Armstrong of Austin, TX; Aria Armstrong of Stillwater, MN; Brandon Armstrong of Stillwater, MN.

1 great-great grand-child: Hunter Hanna of Lancaster, CA.

Memorial Service will be held at Christ The King Catholic Church located at 742 Arlington Expressway Service Rd, Jacksonville, FL (904-724-0080); on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Visitation starting at 10am followed by Mass at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice in honor of Robert Armstrong