Dr. Robert W. Cash

God said, "It is enough, come home."

Dr. Robert W. Cash, 79, of Rochester, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at Cottagewood Senior Communities.

Robert was born Sept. 7, 1935, in Crookston, to Robert Arthur and Myrtle Areta (Ford) Cash. He was a 1953 graduate of Crookston High School and then went on to receive his B.A. from Minnesota Bible College now known as Crossroads College in 1957. Robert also received his honorary doctorate from Hope International University. On Aug. 4, 1956, in Suring, Wis., Bob married Marge McMahon, his college sweetheart.

In high school, Bob was very active in music, playing cello in the orchestra, baritone in the band, a member of the mixed octet, president of the choir, and music council, which is the governing body of the high school for all music groups. To quote his music teacher, "He is of good moral character, comes from a good Christian home, and is held in high esteem by his fellow classmates and students." Bob was active in drama, playing lead role in several plays. He enjoyed his time playing football (left tackle), and was selected to the region eight football team in 1952. He was selected to represent his school as the Gopher Boy's State representative in 1952.

After being baptized at age 13, Bob had set his future goal of following in his grandfather's footsteps, (G.W. Ford), to become a pastor. While in college, he served with the Staples, Minn., church in a student ministry. Following his graduation in 1957, from Minnesota Bible College, in Minneapolis, and his ordination into the Christian ministry, he and Marge served congregations in Eagle Lake (five years), his home church in Crookston (five years), and Bloomington Christian Church (23 years), before Bob accepted the call to serve as vice president of administration at Minnesota Bible College (Crossroads College) in Rochester, in 1990. He became the 10th president of the college in 1996, enjoying immensely the students and his fellow servant co-workers. Bob retired from the college in 2003. He had been an active member of Hope Summit Church and Marion Church of Christ. Bob was active in the Rochester Exchange Club, and served Crossroads College as a trustee for 12 years. He served on the Crookston Civic Music Board, and was active in the Bloomington Ministerial Association. He organized the Bloomington Police Chaplaincy Program, and was vice chairman of the advisory committee when sex education was being introduced into the Bloomington education system.

Bob was an active hockey dad, and enjoyed his children's and grandchildren's activities, whatever they chose to be involved in. Bob was a "fix it" man. There wasn't much he couldn't fix, including rebuilding a total car engine. He enjoyed singing with the Lake Crystal Barbershop Chorus, fishing, and watching sports on TV, especially the Twins, Vikings and Minnesota Wild.

He and Marge enjoyed retirement years at their travel trailer on Lake Tetonka, Waterville, and 15 previous years at their cabin on Leech Lake, that Bob, his dad and brother built, in 1965.

Bob left a legacy in his children and grandchildren by teaching them the importance of integrity, hard work and love of God and family. Bob is now a reminder that our time on earth is but a tiny slice of life. He now lives a far greater life in the presence of Christ.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Our "Good-bye" is your "Welcome Home," and we shall see you again!

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marge Cash; children, Kendra (Mark) Abbey of Paris, Texas, Kristen (Joel) Nordrum of Rochester, Kirk (Catherine) Cash of Farmington and Kameron (Tricia) Cash of Zumbrota; 12 grandchildren, Jacob (Whitney), Kaelee, Jon Mark, Jordan, Sasha (Bart), Tara, Alec (Amanda), Elizabeth, Nathan, Nicole, Justine, and Mackenzie; four great-grandchildren, Brialise, Keldyn, Dallon, and Jaxon; brother, James (Darlene) Cash; brother-in-law, Eugene (Vallie) McMahon; sister-in-law, Margaret (Clyde) Carpenter; and a host of other family and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Myrtle.

The Cash family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the "Cottagewood Family," for your loving care and compassion for Bob the past two months, Heartland Hospice for his final days, and Always Caring in-home care, especially Mona and Karen.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Hope Summit Church, 1315 Sixth Ave. SE, Rochester.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Rick Walston will be officiating with interment at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

To share a special memory or condolence, visit ranfranzandvinefh.com.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester MN 55901, 507-289-3600.