Bob Sitz passed away at Towner County Living Center in Cando on Aug. 11, 2012, one day before his 90th birthday.
Bob was born in New Rockford on Aug. 12, 1922, to Margaret (Tisch) and R. B. Sitz. The family purchased the hardware store and moved to Cando in 1930. Bob attended Cando Public Schools and graduated in 1941, then attended UND until he was drafted into the military in January 1943. Bob served in the First Infantry Division, the Big Red One, in an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon during World War II, landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and continued all through the European Theater until the war ended. Bob received the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Clusters and enjoyed travelling to Washington, D.C., with the Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in 2008.
Following his honorable discharge Bob returned to Cando to run Sitz Hardware with his mother, Margaret. In November 1947, he married Jean Gasmann and together they had four children. Bob was a good businessman and an active supporter of the community, serving many years on the city council and eight years as mayor. In the late 1960s he and four partners formed the Arrow Company in which he remained active until his passing. He was awarded Man of the Year of the Cando Jaycees. He was a member of the American Legion Post of Cando, the Rock Lake VFW and the Society of the First Division.
Bob enjoyed hockey, fishing and golfing from an early age, was a long-standing member of the Cando Golf Course and continued golfing into his 89th year, thanks to his good friend Art Torkelson. He enjoyed playing cards and especially poker with his friends. During their 65 years of marriage Bob and Jean enjoyed extensive travel to China, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Alaska, the Panama Canal and throughout the United States. Since 1993 they spent their winters in Arizona, exploring the area and making many good friends there.
Bob continued to live at home in the loving care of his wife, Jean, until the last month of his life.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, R.B. and Margaret Sitz; and his sister, Dorothea.
He is survived by: his wife, Jean, and children, Mary Azaria of Abirim, Israel, Robert (Dianna), of Cando, Marcia, of Minneapolis, Kathryn, of Kansas City, Mo.; and grandchildren, Yoad, Yael (fiance Haim Lachmani), Maya and Sigal Azaria of Abirim, Israel, and Naomi Rintoul (Garrett Williams), of Grand Junction, Colo.; brother-in-law, Harold Gasmann; and several nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held.
Online guestbook is available at (www.dunnigandix.com).
Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home of Cando is in charge of arrangements.