Robert James Donaldson

Robert James Donaldson was born February 13, 1946 and passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Ginger, by his side on February 4, 2021.
Bob earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics from South Dakota State University. While there, he was the flamboyant bass trombone player for the SDSU Jackrabbits Bum Band, an extremely entertaining entry in the annual homecoming Hobo Day Parade.
Following graduate school, he taught mathematics at the University of South Dakota and then moved to Faith, SD, where he taught high school math and (he said because he was tall – 6’4”) coached junior varsity basketball. From Faith, his teaching career took him home to Sturgis, SD, where he taught High School Advanced Algebra and Geometry. He was beloved by his students for his entertaining math presentations, making this subject enjoyable for all. In keeping with his fabulous sense of humor, he had a modified desk for “average heighted people”, which consisted of a board perched across two filing cabinets on 8” risers. He was most proud of the perfect circles he could draw on the chalk boards, which he meticulously cleaned between each class. He continued with basketball, coaching the girls Junior Varsity basketball teams.
In addition to teaching, you would find him volunteering to fill in for extracurricular activities, directing the band and choir, and the marching band flag twirlers. His students remember his skits at the high school pep rallies as Dakota Stretch (Stretch being the nickname given him because of his ability to reach just about anything with his long arms) wearing a yellow hard hat with flashing lights and fisherman’s waders. He was a member of the Methodist Church and sang in the choir. He organized the Sturgis chapter of Fellowship for Christian Athletes and took many groups to camp in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bob was an avid gardener, fisherman, and chef. He produced many a gourmet meal for friends at Kabin Knights and served as chief cook and bottle washer at the fishing camp in Wrangell, AK.
Bob is survived by his children, Chad and Heather; wife, Ginger; and her children, Gina, Jill, and Lee.
A memorial visitation was held Monday, February 8, 2021 at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any local food pantry of the giver’s choice.



 

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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