Robert "Bob" Bjork

Robert “Bob” Bjork, age 89 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026 at the Round Lake Assisted Living in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

********Please note the date of the service********

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 13 at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Rebecca Thomas officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the church.

Robert Bjork was born September 17, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Agnes and Arthur Bjork, and lived in Chicago until his family moved back to the family farm in Pine City at age 12. He attended country school through eighth grade, gaining inspiration from Mr. Oscar Haavistal his teacher, and gained the inspiration to become an educator.

Bob attended Pine City High School, followed by Hamline University graduating in 1958. He majored in chemistry and was licensed as a secondary science educator. Bob taught in Plainview and Oglivie Minnesota where he met Janet, a lovely mathematics teacher who became his wife. Bob and Jan lived in Grand Forks, ND for a year while he attended graduate school at the University of North Dakota earning his master’s degree. They moved to Sauk Centre in 1965, raising their family and where Bob taught chemistry, physics and several other science and math subjects until his retirement in 1999.

Bob was devoted to a lifetime of curiosity. He challenged his students to solve problems through evidence based critical thinking (with strong doses of rigor, humor, and discussion). He relayed his fascination of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the wonder of our universe with enthusiasm and passion.

Bob was very active in First Lutheran church in Sauk Centre. He led the church youth education program for over 30 years, sang in the church choir, and served many leadership roles in the church community. Bob played an active role in Cub and Boy Scouts, was longtime president of the Big Sauk Lake Association, served countless hours of volunteer work for the Sauk River Watershed District, among many other community organizations and events.

Bob was a fervent believer in the good of people, conservation of world’s resources, a lover of music, and in kindness to others.

Bob is survived by his children, Steve (Jana) of Saint Paul, Beth (Chad) Beste of Sauk Centre, Jeff (Sonia) of New Brighton, and Matt (Erin) of Sauk Centre; and grandchildren, Erin, Ben, Ethan, Alex, Mira, and Kiera.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Jan; parents; and brothers, Garland and Merlyn.

Memorials may be directed to the Sauk Centre Dollars for Scholars—Jan and Bob Bjork Scholarship.