Robert Griffith

Robert Raymond Griffith passed away at his home in Champlin, MN on February 25, 2026, at the age of 87.

Robert "Bob" was born on March 5, 1938, and was adopted by his loving parents, Charles and Angeline Griffith. He grew up in Rosholt, South Dakota, with his sister, Mary Ann, and graduated from Rosholt High School in 1957. In 1958, Bob joined the Army National Guard in Sisseton, South Dakota where he served both actively and inactively for 6 years. He worked on a farm until the fall of 1960, when he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 1963, Bob met Joan Herding at a dance hall in New Effington, South Dakota and they were married on May 8, 1965. Bob began his career with Honeywell in 1966, where he worked for over 32 years before retiring in 1998. During his last 18 years there, he proudly served as the Teamsters Overall Union Steward.

Bob experienced a heartbreaking loss when his beloved wife, Joan, passed away from cancer in 1976 at 33 years of age, leaving Bob to raise their three young daughters.

In his younger years, Bob enjoyed playing golf, watching NASCAR and was always a big fan of the MN Vikings and MN Twins. He loved riding his bicycle, and eventually e-bikes in his later years. His lifelong affinity for motor vehicles included snowmobiles, ATVs, scooters, and eventually motorcycles. Bob also had a passion for fast cars, and during his final year, he fulfilled a long-held dream by purchasing a Ford Mustang convertible. It brought him immense joy to listen to his favorite Elvis music, rev the engine and cruise the backroads.

In 1997, Bob met his girlfriend, Jean Lewis. He cherished their fun times together which included escaping Minnesota winters by spending a couple of months each year in Destin, Florida.

Bob loved his Maple Grove community where he lived for most of his last 45 years. He made friends wherever he went, and treasured time spent visiting with others, especially anyone who stopped by for a “coolie.” He found happiness in life’s simple pleasures like talking with neighbors, watching the finches in his birdfeeder and meticulously maintaining all of his toys.

Bob is survived by his three daughters: Michelle Rice, Brenda Wold, and Nancy Bartsch (Scott); his longtime girlfriend, Jean Lewis; grandchildren Cassie Seifert (Tyler), Brandon Rice (Haley), Jessica Rice; and four great-grandchildren: Austin, Madison, Adeline, and Caroline. Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Joan; his parents, Charles and Angeline Griffith; and his sister, Mary Ann Vellenga.

A celebration of his life will be held at Evans-Nordby Funeral Home at 34 Second Street NE in Osseo, MN on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with a visitation from 2:00-3:00 pm and memorial at 3:00 PM.