Robert "Bob" Young

Robert "Bob" Young, 90, of Battle Lake, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025, surrounded by family at his residence. There will be a visitation on Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service starting at 6:30 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Battle Lake. His Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Battle Lake. There will be a visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery.

Robert Alan Young, Born January 13, 1935, in Bombay India to Alfred and Olga (Olsen) Young. He had one older brother Doug. When he was 8 years old, he and his mother came back to the US because of the war. They moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of Eli Lily where his dad worked.

Bob graduated from Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. He attended college at Purdue University in 1952. He graduated from Purdue with a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1956 and entered the army. He served in Korea until 1958. After returning to the US, he got his master’s degree at U of M in 1960. Bob got a job with the USDA in Morris, MN. In 1963 he met Eileen Wilts on a blind date. They were married July 10, 1965. They had two children: Julie Michelle in 1966 and Steven Alfred in 1968.

In 1968, Bob started his PHD in Brookings, South Dakota graduating in 1970. He continued to work at the USDA in Morris, MN until he retired in January 1994. While working, he was asked to speak all around the world and traveled to many countries. He was often able to take Eileen with him. After retirement, they moved to Ottertail Lake where they continued to travel all over the world for pleasure including all 50 states, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America although his most treasured time was with his family. He enjoyed hunting, skiing (downhill, cross-country, and water), snowmobiling, swimming, racquetball, tennis, basketball (with his in-laws) and Bridge.

He is survived by his wife Eileen, daughter Julie (Eric) Dison, son Steve (Lisa) Young, six grandchildren; Robbie (Bri), Katie, and Jessie Dison, Nathan and Andrew Young, and Maia (Jared) Scholten. Also, two great grandchildren; Xilenia and Bellamy Dison Lopez. Also, numerous in-laws; Carol Nelson, LoisAnn (Paul) Sellars, Neil (Colleen) Wilts, Larry (Marie) Wilts, Roselyn (Jay) Giese, Dale (Patti) Wilts, and Ron (Bev) Wilts.

He was preceded in death by his parents Al and Olga and his brother Doug Young, his in-laws Vern and Gertie Wilts, brothers-in-law Merle Wilts, Hank Nelson, and sister-in-law Idelle Wilts