Robert P. SAUMUR

Robert P. Saumur, 85, Grand Forks, ND died Monday, February 28, 2005 in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Robert Philip Saumur, was born July 17, 1919 in rural Grand Forks County to parents Philip and Euphemia (Hamel) Saumur on land settled by his pioneer grandparents in 1878. Bob attended grade school at Rye School #30, and graduated from St. James High School in 1937. He married Muriel Cleary in 1941 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1945. A rarity today, Bob had only one employer in addition to the Army. He joined Nodak Electric Cooperative in 1939 and, except for his Army service, he worked there until his retirement in 1982. He was particularly proud of his efforts helping to organize Nodak in the 1940's. Bob played a significant role in bringing electricity to many farms in northeastern North Dakota during that organizational period by signing up new co-op members and obtaining easements necessary to build the power lines. Robert was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church his entire life. He also was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. During his working career he was also a member of the Grand Forks Exchange Club which he served as President and 9 years as secretary. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Muriel; children, Maureen (Fred) Harms, Hampton, VA, Robert Jr. (Sue), Coon Rapids, MN, Elizabeth (Gordon) Church, Seattle, WA, Margaret (Don) Strom, Shoreview, MN, Anne (David) Saumur-Kerr, Denver, CO and Catherine Saumur, St. Paul, MN. He is also survived by his sister, Sylvia Saumur, Grand Forks, ND; brothers, Joseph, Lakewood, CA, Frank, Sierra Madre, CA and Paul, Woodland Hills, CA. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Blue. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2005 in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND Visitation: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday with 6:00 p.m. vigil service in Gregory J. Norman - Norman Funeral Home, So. Washington St. and one hour prior to the liturgy at the church on Friday. Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND Military Honors: Members of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2, Grand Forks, ND; American Legion Post 157 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, East Grand Forks, MN The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com (Gregory J. Norman-Norman Funeral Home, So Washington St.) Published in the Grand Forks Herald on 3/2/2005.