Robert E. McCrory

Robert McCrory, age 82 of Glenwood died Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the Glenwood Retirement Village. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 27th at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Katherine Rood officiating. Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Visitation will also continue Saturday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home. 

Robert Ervin McCrory, the son of Ervin Harold and Henrietta (Kalina) McCrory was born February 15, 1939, in Starbuck, MN. He grew up on the family farm near Glenwood along with his sister, Gayle. He and his family were active members of Glenwood Lutheran Church. After graduating from Glenwood High School in 1957, Robert began farming fulltime in partnership with his father, Ervin. In 1959, he joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. He served in the Guard for 6 years before being honorably discharged in 1965 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Robert met Marion Peterson when she began teaching in Glenwood in 1962. They were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead on April 11, 1964. The two made their home near Glenwood in Leven Township on a farm they named “Rock Ranch”. It was there that they raised their two children, Karla and Kevin.

Robert’s farming venture with his father came to a sad ending in July of 1976, when his father was killed in a tractor accident. At that time, his wife, Marion, left her elementary teaching job to help Robert on the farm. The two worked together for the next 38 years until their retirement in 2014. 

Robert, who was also known to others as Bob, Robby, Roberto, and Bobby, was very active in community service. He held various leadership roles on the Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Board, Pope County Planning and Zoning Commission, Glenwood Lutheran Church, Glenwood Hospital Board, Glenwood Jaycees, Glenwood District #612 school board, the local DFL, and he served as a Pope County Commissioner.

Robert played basketball, football (quarterback) and ran track (high hurdles) in high school. His favorite memory from high school was when his basketball team, under the guidance of head coach Jim Gremmels, made it to the state tournament his junior year. He always cherished that experience.

After high school, Robert enjoyed playing fastpitch softball, especially with R&R Fastpitch, in the Brooten league. He also loved to play in tournaments around the area. He continued playing league basketball in Alexandria, Villard, and Glenwood, along with Sunday pick up games in Villard and multiple tournaments around the region. He loved watching Minnesota Gophers men’s and women’s basketball games. He never understood what the draw was to golf, but after he played a few rounds with his son, Kevin and Kevin’s friends, he was hooked and new clubs were purchased shortly thereafter. He continued to play golf until his health began to decline.

Robert passed away on November 21, 2021 at Glenwood Village Care Center at the age of 82 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marion of Glenwood; his daughter, Karla McCrory Gavin of Fayette, IA; his son, Kevin McCrory of West Fargo, ND; four grandchildren: Megan Gavin (fiancé Keanon Lewis) of Palmer, IA, Colin Gavin of Fayette, IA; Shai McCrory and Ashlyn McCrory, both of West Fargo, ND; his sister, Gayle Nemmers of Glenwood; three nephews, Scott (Victoria) Nemmers, Terry Nemmers, and Brent (JoAnne) Nemmers; along with many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Henrietta, brother-in-law, Roger Nemmers, his wife’s parents, Elmer and Mabel Peterson, and his wife’s brother, Curt Peterson.

Robert loved the land he owned and worked. He took pride in his black angus cattle and in his crops. He took many steps toward conservation of the land, including planting hundreds of trees, which he knew would not be mature until he retired.

Robert will be remembered for his large laugh, his big smile, the twinkle in his eyes, his sense of humor, his whistle, for his willingness to help others, especially his neighbors, and for surviving a serious tractor accident in 1993. He enjoyed pheasant, duck, and goose hunting and he could fix almost anything with a piece of wire and baling twine.

May you rest in peace Robert and as the great Roy Rogers said, “Happy trails to you until we meet again!”

Memorials may be directed to Hearts and Hands Food Shelf in Glenwood, Parkinson’s Foundation Minnesota and Dakotas, or your favorite charity.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.