Damon, Robert Keith Sr. Age 81, of Naples, FL, (formerly of Minneapolis, MN and Hudson, WI) died suddenly in Florida on Jan. 11, 2019. Robert "Bob" was born on November 9, 1937 in Minneapolis, MN to Eleanor (Johnson) Damon and Michael Damon Jr. He graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1955 and began working at the Soo Line Railroad (C.P. Rail) and retired in 1999 after a varied 44-year career in union and management positions. In retirement, he was always working to perfect his model railroad. In 1959 he served with the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. Forrestal Aircraft Carrier. His love of travel included many ports of call and continued throughout his life with trips to destinations around the world. Bob was a talented jazz musician. He started singing with a musical group in high school which continued as a quartet "The Four Statesmen" performing until 1959. His true passion started in 1963, playing the string bass. He played professionally around the Twin Cities with the best, including The Golden Strings, the Mouldy Figs Dixieland Band, Teddy Wilson, pianist from the Benny Goodman Orchestra and the Bob Damon Trio. He played music throughout Naples and played regularly at Ellington's Jazz Club on Sanibel Island. Bob was a proud member of the Twin Cities Musicians Union. He enjoyed playing music with friends. Bob was known for his dry wit, and his sensitive, kind, and generous spirit. He will be greatly missed. Bob is survived by his son Paul Damon (Elizabeth) of Hudson, WI, daughter Lisa Damon (Gregg Lauderdale) of Afton, MN, son Robert Damon Jr. (Minneapolis) and sister Marilyn (Loren) Westrom (Mesa, AZ). A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 7th, 2019 at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel (1 Tower Ave. Minneapolis) at 1:00 PM followed by a reception at 2:30 PM at the Intercontinental Hotel at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at an earlier date. Memorials are welcome to the American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.

Published on January 20, 2019