Robert Carruthers

Robert Thomas Carruthers was born September 27, 1925, in Madison, SD, the son of Thomas and Olga (Hagen) Carruthers. He graduated from Chester High School and served with the U.S. Navy from 1943-46. During that period, Bob spent two years in the South Pacific where he participated in the invasion of the Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf in the Philippine Islands. After his honorable discharge, he received his B.S. Degree from Dakota State University at Madison, SD in 1950, and his Masters Degree from the University of Denver in 1953. Bob spent 9 years at Wilmot, SD as a teacher and high school principal. He married Joan Holman on August 2, 1958, at Hope Lutheran Church in rural Sisseton, SD. The remainder of his 37 years in education were spent as superintendent of schools at Holloway, Alberta, Trimont and Springfield. He retired as superintendent at Springfield after 18 years of service at that school. Bob was a former member of the Minnesota Education Association, the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, the American Association of School Administrators, the Springfield Economic Development Committee, Springfield Historical Society, the American Legion and the Rotary Club. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, a member of the Men in Mission and a board member of the Mission Endowment Fund. Bob enjoyed his family, his work, hunting, fishing and gardening. Robert Thomas Carruthers died Saturday, July 7, 2007, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 81 years. He is survived by his wife, Joan of Springfield; sons, David and wife Linda Carruthers of Springfield, and Paul Carruthers of Copperas Cove, TX; granddaughters, Emily and Katie Carruthers; sister, Donna and husband Donald Tunge of Sioux Falls, SD; and sister-in-law, Alice Carruthers of Chester, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joy Donahue; and brothers, Sylvan and Clayton Carruthers.