Robert D. Engelstad

Bob's Celebration of Life for will be livestreamed by following the link below. 

Robert “Bob” Duane Engelstad passed away peacefully on a sunny Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the age of 96. Born on October 13, 1928, in Fargo, ND, to Lars M. Engelstad and Synneva (Gunderson) Engelstad, he spent his early years in Moorhead, MN, where he attended local schools before furthering his education at Concordia College and North Dakota State University. Bob earned degrees in architecture and engineering, coming just three credits shy of a math major.

From 1947 to 1951, he served honorably in the Army National Guard, training troops at Camp Rucker, Alabama.

On May 20, 1951, Bob married LaVerne Gothe, the love of his life. Their marriage was filled with deep devotion and lasted until her passing in 2014—in his arms. When asked how long they were married, Bob would always say, “Not long enough.”

Together, they raised four children: Lynn (Reed) Johnson of Alexandria, Jon (Lori) Engelstad of Moorhead, Susan (Rick) Roesler of Pelican Rapids, Julie (Jim) Nye of Lakeville.

Bob was a beloved Papa to 14 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Bob’s career as an architect left a lasting impact, especially in Moorhead, where he designed several schools. He worked for the firm Foss, which later became Foss Engelstad Foss, and poured his heart into every design. His work extended beyond traditional architecture—he founded Tire Depot, focusing on sustainable reuse of waste materials.

His community involvement was extensive. He served as National Chairman of C-400, was a Board of Regents member at Concordia College, and designed the Norwegian, German, and French villages for Concordia Language Villages.

The middle of five siblings—Sidney, Doris, Gene, and Larry—Bob cherished his family and shared countless moments of laughter with them. His life was a testament to his deep faith and love for people, always welcoming others with warmth and kind words.

He loved spending time with family—laughing, hugging, and sharing stories. He had endless patience, pulling kids water skiing, taking them downhill skiing, and always finding joy in their fun. He enjoyed puzzles, leaning in close with family, competing to place the last piece. He licked the beaters after whipping cream, savored his jello and fruit salad, and was always the first to lick the drips off an ice cream cone. He cherished the outdoors, soaking in the sun and Crystal Lake sunsets. He played Pinochle every Monday night for 35 years with dear friends. In high school, he and his friends even devised a plan to develop Detroit Mountain—a true dreamer and doer.

Bob’s faith was unwavering. His prayer list was long, and every night, he could be found on his knees in prayer.

Bob’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and service—to his family, community, and profession. He will be dearly missed but forever remembered.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11 AM at Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Moorhead, MN. Family and friends will gather one hour prior, and the service will be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riverfront on Main in Pelican Rapids, MN, where the staff cared for “Bobby” with dignity, love, stories, and mutual teasing.

Bob always said, “Every day is a good day, a blessing.”