Robert “Bob” Salmon, age 78, of Canby, MN passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral service will be held at 10:30a.m. on Monday, December 9th at the Antelope Hills Christian Church in Canby, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 8th from 2 to 4p.m. with a prayer service at 4pm at the Antelope Hills Christian Church in Canby, MN. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Canby City Cemetery. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel of Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert James Salmon was born at home December 14, 1945, the son of Leroy and Maxine (Scott) Salmon at their farm in Spencer, SD. He entered his heavenly home on December 1st, 2024, at his home after valiantly coping with Stage IV bladder cancer for 3 years. Bob attended the Spencer Public School through 9th grade, graduated from Salem High School in 1964, and continued his education at Augustana University, Southwest State University and the University of Minnesota. Bob married Kathleen McShane in November 1965. They resided in Sioux Falls where their two children, Sherry and Brian, were born. In 1969 they moved to Redwood Falls, Minnesota, where Bob was employed by Control Data Corporation and Activeaid, Inc. Their next move was to Canby, MN in 1970 where Bob began a healthcare career spanning 43 years. He held the Chief Executive position at Canby Community Hospital, (later Sioux Valley Canby Hospital and Sanford Canby). During some of those years, he also served as Chief Executive at the Tracy Hospital, Tracy, MN and Deuel County Memorial Hospital, Clear Lake, SD. A passionate advocate for rural healthcare, Bob was active in many healthcare organizations having served on numerous committees and the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Hospital Association. He served as Treasurer and a Charter Member of the Board of Directors of Medisota, a rural healthcare consortium which was created, in part, to link rural hospitals to services at the University of Minnesota; and a Member of the Board of Directors of Sioux Valley Service Corporation. Bob was a leader in the regulatory environment where he secured the passage of legislation on multiple occasions for both the local health care facilities as well as statewide. He was uncommonly skilled in negotiating the minefields of rural healthcare finance. While serving on the Board of the Minnesota Hospital Association, Bob attended the Annual Meetings of the American Hospital Association in Washington, DC. Bob served in local government on the Canby City Council for 12 years. Bob was a private pilot and enjoyed flying to a variety of destinations, near and far, both for work and pleasure. Friends and family members have memories of flying adventures with Bob; all would agree that he was a skillful pilot who paid close attention to safety and weather. Bob was baptized into the Christian faith at the Spencer (SD) Christian Church. First Baptist Church in Canby was his church home for the last 25 years where he was involved with the Home Delivered Meals program, especially enjoying visiting with the recipients to whom he delivered meals. Bob’s garage was a gathering spot for friends who were comfortable coming and going throughout many afternoons and evenings. His garage was as meticulously maintained as his lawn – a leaf or twig or dandelion found only brief rest on his lawn. Bob married Nancy Denelsbeck Meyer at Marshall, MN on August 14, 1998. When Nancy’s father, Gordon, reminded Bob that he hadn’t asked for Nancy’s hand in marriage, Bob reminded Gordon that neither had he (Gordon) disclosed the amount of Nancy’s dowry. In addition to his wit, Bob will be remembered for his generosity, hospitality, foresight, business acumen, mentorship, love of animals, firm friendships, humility, love for family, and insistence on quality in every aspect of healthcare delivery.
Bob is survived by his wife Nancy of Canby, MN; his son Brian Salmon (Debi Holzhauer) of Tea, SD; Grandson Gerod (Melissa) Olivier of Brandon, SD; stepdaughter Valerie Halvorson (Todd Patzer) of Madison, MN; stepson Keith (Shawna) Meyer of Alexandria, MN; step grandchildren Rachel Halvorson, Sarah Halvorson and Molly Halvorson; Kayda Meyer, Talan Meyer and Rhett Meyer; great grandchildren Macyn Olivier, Kambrie Olivier and Lena Olivier; one brother Donald (Maria) Salmon, DePere, WI; one sister Mary (Tom) Kappenman of Sioux Falls, SD; former wife Peggy Roe Sik of Canby. He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Maxine and his daughter Sherry Ann Olivier Smith; sister-in-law Joyce Salmon and great granddaughter Jessa Olivier.
