Robert P. Coffman

Robert P. Coffman, 83, of Battle Lake, Minnesota, passed away August 25, 2026, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

Bob's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 1-4pm at the Battle Lake Senior Center, 209 Main Street West, Battle Lake, MN, 56515. 

Robert Paul “Bob” Coffman has gone home to heaven, where we imagine he is already fishing, visiting with beloved family and old friends, reuniting with the many pets who faithfully accompanied him throughout his life, and—knowing Bob—hopefully finding a few sales that are truly out of this world.

Bob was born in Harvey, Illinois, to Earl and Marie (Haseman) Coffman. In 1955, the Coffman family moved to Minnesota after acquiring Ethel Beach Resort on Lake Ethel. There, his mother, Marie, perfected the fried chicken recipe she became known for at the resort restaurant. The family owned and operated Ethel Beach Resort until 1966, and Bob carried fond memories of those years with him throughout his life.

Bob loved sports, especially baseball and basketball, and played both while attending Battle Lake High School, graduating in 1961. During his high school years, he also worked at Balmoral Golf Course, where he helped build the course.

After high school, Bob attended Moorhead State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. In 1966, he married Janice Stenstrom, and together they had two daughters, Carman and Cathy.

Bob always had a special place in his heart for the underdogs of the world, and that compassion became an important part of his career at the Regional Treatment Center in Fergus Falls. During his more than 30 years there, he formed many lasting friendships, including lifelong friendships with Bob Schwarz and Ron Nirva. The friendships and memories from those years remained an important part of his life long after his retirement.

Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down. Bob continued doing what he loved best: wheeling and dealing. He was a familiar face at area flea markets and frequently held sales at home, where there was always an assortment of antiques, boats, and collectibles. Bob was almost always buying or selling something, and he especially enjoyed finding unusual treasures to give as gifts to his family and friends.

Bob also inherited his mother’s artistic talent. He carved and painted duck and fishing decoys, often signing his work “WHS,” short for “Weird Harold’s Son.” It was a nod to his father, Earl, who used the name “Weird Harold” while selling antiques and other interesting finds. Bob proudly carried on that tradition in his own way.

In 2016, Bob suffered a near-fatal respiratory arrest that left him hospitalized for several weeks. His grand-nephew, Matt, is credited with saving his life that day, giving his family the incredible gift of another decade filled with memories, stories and time together.

Some of Bob’s happiest moments were spent fishing with family and friends. He often brought them back to Lake Ethel to fish, share stories of his family’s years owning the resort, and reminisce about the many memories he made there growing up.

And Bob always had a story.

He could tell you about Jenks, the family’s pet pig from his childhood who loved Coca-Cola; how his aunt frequently traveled to Tennessee to help a struggling family with many children, bringing along clothes that Bob and his sisters had outgrown—only for the family to later learn that those children were the Partons (yes, those Partons); the times he met Johnny Cash and Richard Nixon; or the day he went to Alexandria for a haircut and found himself sitting next to Brock Lesnar at the barber shop. Whether the story was about something that happened decades ago or an adventure from earlier that morning, Bob knew how to tell it.

He also looked forward to meeting up with his friends at Pizza Ranch each week, where there were always stories to tell, laughs to share and plenty of catching up to do.

Bob was a lifelong animal lover and rarely went through life without a trusty companion by his side. Over the years, many dogs, cats and other animals were fortunate enough to call Bob their person, and they were every bit a part of his family.

More than anything, Bob was a character in the very best sense of the word. He always had a new catchphrase, a story to tell, something he was buying or selling, or an account of his latest daily adventure. Beneath it all was a man who cared deeply about people. Bob had a generous spirit, looked out for others and so often put their needs before his own.

His stories, humor, kindness and unmistakable personality leave behind a space that simply cannot be filled. Those who knew Bob will have plenty of stories of their own to keep telling—and that may be one of the greatest legacies a person can leave.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Marie Coffman; his mother- and father-in-law, Irene and Gene Lundquist; and his niece, Brooke Douglas.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; his daughters, Carman (Mike) Johnson of St. Paul and Cathy Sydow of Fergus Falls; his grandchildren, Erin Jensen of Spring Park, Jordan Coffman of Battle Lake, Madeline (Nick) Welle of New Hope, Luke (fiancée Heidi) and Drew Johnson of St. Paul, and Nathan Sydow of Fergus Falls; and his great-grandchildren, Paige and Brooke Welle.

Bob is also survived by his sisters, Leora Douglas of St. Cloud and Adora King of Battle Lake; his brothers-in-law, Stephen (Donna) Stenstrom of Iowa and Robert (Sarah) Spanswick of West Virginia; his nieces and nephew, Tiffany King of California, Kelsey Spanswick of Battle Lake, and Nick Spanswick of Arizona; and his grand-nephews, Nick Keller of Missouri and Matt Keller of California.

He also leaves behind many extended family members and wonderful friends who were an important part of his life.

Bob will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and, most certainly, talked about for years to come.