Robert Jerome Benoit

Bob Benoit passed away at the age of 92 on May 2, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona. Robert Jerome Benoit was born to Armond and Lydia Benoit on October 1, 1931 in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. He spent his early years on the family farm until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in May of 1950 and served proudly as an Airman First Class for 4 years. Bob returned to Minnesota and went to work at Hove’s supermarket before ultimately joining the United States Postal Service. He married Evelyn Weberg and they had four boys. 

In 1977, Bob married Sharolette in a private ceremony in Milo, Maine followed by a road trip up the coast to Prince Edward Island. They shared 46 years of adventures that led them around the world from Austria, Germany, Russia, Denmark and all over the United States while meeting friends along the way. Bob retired in 1989 from the US Postal Service and he and Sharolette spent winters in Arizona. They bought their first house in the Fountain of the Sun retirement community in Mesa in 1998. They spent many summers in Grand Rapids on Bass Lake at Pincherry Resort where Bob would fish every day and enjoy the peace and calm of the lake. Bob had a large group of friends who he enjoyed hiking, biking, playing cribbage and going to the casino with.  Some of his fondest memories were the annual fishing trips that he spent with his son, Paul, and his best friend, Jim Ford, and his family. To roughing it on Thompson Lake in Canada to enjoying a soft bed with full amenities on Bowstring Lake, Bob’s love for fishing never faded. His memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved him.

Bob is survived by wife Sharolette of Mesa; sons Paul (Molly) of Pine City, MN, Al (Vicki) of St. Paul, MN, Mark (Jan Bottem) of Rush City, MN; stepdaughters Debbie (Dennis) Aqui, Sandra (Jeffrey) Schlachter and Cheryl Abbott; brother, Duane of Pine City, sister Cecile Kelley of Bloomington; best friend Jim Ford of Shoreview, and other family members and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Armond & Lydia Benoit; son Brad Benoit; daughter-in-law Heidi Benoit; sisters Donna Benoit, (infant) Sandra Benoit, Beverly O’Neil.

A celebration of Bob’s life is will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM; Thursday, May 23rd at the Novak-Milliren VFW Post #4258 in Pine City.  Military honors will take place at 6:00 PM, immediately following refreshments will be served and remembrances shared.