Robert James King

• 

King, Robert James Age 69 of Eden Prairie. Passed away Saturday, Dec. 17th at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Survived by wife Nancy Geiger, stepdaughter Sarah Hreha. Friends Mike and Pamela Gould. Sisters-in- law: Susan King, Julie Geiger, Gail Feichtinger. Brothers-in-law: Bob Geiger, Mike Gelfand. Nieces: Mary Ancell, Stephanie Stone, Linda Brownlee, Alexandra Geiger, Elena Geiger. Nephews: John King, Jake Gelfand, Max Gelfand, Sam Gelfand. Many cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Preceded in death by parents, John and Dorothy King; brother, John King. Bob was born in Minneapolis on October 18, 1947. He grew up in South Minneapolis and graduated from De La Salle High School. After having too much fun in his freshman year at the University of Minnesota, he moved to San Francisco where he worked with the early San Francisco rock bands at the Avalon Ballroom and lived in Haight Ashbury. Eventually the draft board caught up with him and he ended up in the US Army. He spent a year in Viet Nam from 1969-70, an experience that impacted him mentally and physically for the rest of his life. When he returned to the US, he served at Fort Huachuca in Arizona until his discharge in 1974. He completed a BA in journalism at the University of Minnesota and held jobs in writing, marketing and public relations. He had completed most of the coursework for an MBA at the University of St. Thomas before his health declined. Bob's health issues led to a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in 1998, a kidney transplant at the University of Minnesota in 2007, and many other surgeries, grafts, hospitalizations, and stints in rehab. He fought his health issues with great determination and endurance. He was especially grateful to his niece, Linda Brownlee, who donated a kidney to him, gifting him with nine more years to pursue his passions. These included sharing his opinions on politics and just about anything else, hanging at the cabin, barbequing ribs, reading about the history of the old west, listening to "old dead blues players", NHL hockey, good scotch and illegal Cuban cigars. He loved to travel Santa Fe, the Virgin Islands, Ireland, and the Florida Keys were favorites. He did volunteer work for LifeSource MN, spreading the word about organ and tissue donation. Heartfelt thanks to the many wonderful healthcare professionals who supported Bob over the last twenty years of health challenges. Special thanks to his "dream team" of doctors at the University, especially Jack Lake, Jon Hallberg, Susan Shafii, and Hassan Ibrahim. Thanks to the competent and compassionate staff on units 5A, 5B, 6B, and the TCU at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, and at Providence Place. Private memorial service at a future date; interment in Mission Cemetery, Crow Wing County. Memorials preferred to LifeSource MN.

Published on January 1, 2017