Robert Paul Blewett

Blewett, Robert Paul 89, of Anoka passed away Feb. 14, 2020. Bob was born March 4, 1930 to Harold Eugene and Grace Ellen (Baxter) Blewett. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Rosemary (Weaver); grandson, Ty; he is survived by wife, Lois Elaine (Grapp); children, Bob (Suzy), David, Steve (Kim), Barbara Larson, Ruth, Dan Bennett (Nona), Deborah Laurence (John), and step daughter, Marilyn Barnes (Bill). He was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Robert was a member of Anoka High School class of 1948 where he was editor of the Anokan and yearbook. He earned Eagle Scout and worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. After high school he married his high school sweetheart, Rosemary, joined the Army, stationed in Fort Lewis, WA, made Master Sergeant, when the Korean War began he found himself at the center of the Korean front coordinating construction projects as operations sergeant for the 36th Engineer Combat Group. After the war he received a scholarship to Minneapolis College of Art, after a year he was hired by an art studio, then joined the Billy Graham Association as Art Director for Decision magazine, often doing his own illustration and cover paintings. He was at BGA until 1969 when Rosemary died. He was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, and found time to teach adult Bible study twice a week from the 1960s through mid-1970s. He and Lois were members of the National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel (NCLCI). They helped found Bridges for Peace, and authored the Interfaith Circles program that created dialogue and understanding between Christian and Jewish communities. Also worked closely with the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem and were honored by Christian and Jewish groups for their work in Jewish Christian relations. In his sixties he enrolled in the U of M and received his BA and Master degrees graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1998. A celebration of his life, his kindness and sense of humor will be held this summer.