Robert J. Kane

 Age 97, of Roseville, passed away November 10, 2022. "I think that everyone who reads this will agree that my stepfather in law, Bob Kane, was TRULY one of those SPECIAL people. He was kind, thoughtful, a proud military veteran, talkative, an avid football fan, involved, nonjudgmental, loved, and lived by God's teachings. He had positive impacts and loving relationships with people at every stage of his life.​Bob was born 22 Sept 1925 to Perly Kane and Mary Isadore Hanten in Watertown, SD. His mother died of cancer at the age of 29 when he was just 4 years old. Bob's granddad and grandmom raised him since Perly was a traveling salesman. In 1936 his granddad died. Also that same year, Perly remarried a woman with 4 children, and Bob and the new family moved to Minneapolis. Bob was now 11 years old, and not treated very well by his stepmother. He told me that she always preferred her own children over him. He enlisted into the US Navy in 1942 at the age of 17. After boot camp, he was ordered to Purdue University for Electrical Engineering. He served 3 years sea duty aboard the USS Amick, a Cannon-class destroyer escort which was the flagship for Escort Division 15. Aboard the Amick, he completed several round-trip voyages across the Atlantic and, in 1945, was sent to the Pacific. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy on 26 Nov 1946 at the rank of EM 2/C (Electrician's Mate 2nd Class). At the age of 29, Bob enlisted into the US Naval Air Force Reserve during the US - Korean Conflict. He served for four years as a plane captain with rank Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class. Navy plane captains serve as the liaison between the pilot and plane and the ground crew. They wash the plane, fuel it, and take it through safety checks and inspections. His plane was a Lockheed P2V-4 Neptune Patrol Bomber. I believe he was stationed at Wold Chamberlain Field in Minneapolis for this entire period. He served from 3 Feb 1954 until 9 Jun 1958, and again received an Honorable Discharge.  ​Around 1966, Bob was attending Trinity First Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, where he met fellow parishioner and widow Laura Madeline Lienke. She had 5 children between the ages of 26 and 13. He wrote, 'After chasing Laura for 3 years, we married, and I was blessed with 5 stepchildren. We moved to Roseville, where we lived for 45 years. I was blessed with a wonderful marriage of 45 years to my Lovely Laura, shared many happy moments, and some sad. My wife loved and supported me in a 20-year career on the Roseville Police Department.'​Bob served for over 20 years as a Police Officer. He told me lots of cop stories. Like only having a Chevy station wagon to transport car accident victims to the old Ancker Hospital in St. Paul, and having to squeeze into the back to work on them. Like when they got hot rod Chevy Suburbans to chase speeders down Highway 36. And the story about the only time he had to discharge his firearm at a bad guy - he missed him, fortunately, but did catch the guy and hauled him in.​Bob's 'Lovely Laura' died after a long and difficult illness on 28 Sep 2015, and Bob somewhat declined as the mourning and loneliness was tough on him. He never really adjusted well to living alone. In 2018 Bob and the family decided it was time to sell his home on Co Rd B2 and look for a senior housing apartment. He landed at The Seasons at Maplewood near Maplewood Mall. This place was a great fit for Bob, and he flourished again at his new home. Bob needed and thrived around other people. He was in the choir, played candy bingo, bocce ball, attended church services, and was on the apartment tenant board. He loved the food, especially the Saturday night shrimp. He loved the staff and the other residents, and they loved him. He even had a very special relationship in the autumn of his life, that bloomed like a daffodil in spring. ​A note from Bob’s Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church - 'When a decade of attendance feels more like a lifetime of friendship, you know you have had a profound effect on people. That's the kind of effect Bob had on Bethel during his 10+ years with us.  A constant presence during worship and a cornerstone friend during Tuesday Morning Bible Study, Bob was most appreciated for his: service in uniform to our country, service in uniform to our community (via the Roseville Police Department) and his straightforward/uncomplicated understanding of Christian faith, which was always paired with a broad smile and an acknowledging shake of his fist.  The recent absence of Bob from Bethel activities has been palpable; his passing (and his continued absence because of that fact) remains most challenging to believe. To the degree Christ is the "Light of the world", for many Bethel friends Bob was the veritable face of His Light around church.' On Thursday 3 Nov 2022 Bob was treated for bronchitis and prescribed antibiotics. He complained of general fatigue, chest congestion, and just felt crummy during the preceding week. On Friday, he also started having severe stomach pain. At about midnight, he called 911 and was taken to St John Hospital. There he was diagnosed with possible pneumonia and gallbladder stones. After further testing on Saturday, we got the bad news that in addition to pneumonia, there was a growth on this pancreas causing a blockage. The procedure to resolve this blockage could not proceed until his respiratory condition improved. He was put on an oxygen machine, but the infection had taken hold. He was not improving, and on Sunday the family was summoned. Monday was a sad and busy day for all of us. Bob expressed to many of us that he was worn out and just wanted to be with his 'Lovely Laura'. On Tuesday, Bob was mostly unresponsive, and the breathing apparatus was removed. He died on Thursday morning, 10 Nov 2022, about 4:30 AM. RIP Bob. You were TRULY, TRULY a special guy, and will always be in the hearts of many." Bob was preceded in death by wife, Laura; and step children, Doug (Bonnie), Dean, and Dana (Karen).  He is survived by ex-wife and children, Janet Derusha, Timothy Kane, Kathleen Kane; and  step children, Dennis (Shirley) and Lisa (John); step grandchildren Martin, Emily, Sam, Hans, Heather, Larissa, Dresden, Markell, and many step great-grandchildren.​A Memorial Service to celebrate Bob's life will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 7 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 670 W. Wheelock Pkwy, St. Paul. Visitation will be at the church from 1-2 PM Wednesday.​Per Bob's request, please wear bright, colorful attire.​Private interment was held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.