Robert R. Ash, 82, Underwood, died Tuesday, November 13, 2018, in Bismarck ND after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am CST, Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Riverdale Community Church in Riverdale, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Officiating will be Pastor Alan O. Hathaway and Pastor Don Barsness. Burial will be in the Coleharbor Cemetery, immediately following the service. Lunch will be served at the Church.

Bob was born on April 26, 1936, in Garrison, ND, the son of John and Dorothy (Reimann) Ash. He was raised on the family farm 9 miles west of Underwood. Bob attended country school and then Underwood High School, where he graduated in 1955. He then attended Montana State University in Bozeman where he studied engineering but after two years was called to serve in the military. While in the military, he was an instructor in Guided Missile Installation Electrical Equipment Repair. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962. While serving at Fort Belvoir, VA, he met his future bride, Carol Rickner and they were married on February 17, 1963, in Drexel Hill, PA. They returned to the Underwood community and made their home with Bob's parents prior to buying a farm 4 miles south of Riverdale where together they raised their two children, Rob and Doreen.

Farming was a great joy to Bob, and he enjoyed working with his dad, brother and uncle.   He retired from farming in March, 2007.

Bob was a very active member of the Riverdale Community Church, where he served as treasurer for over 31 years and as President for the Church Property Board. He also served on the board of the Farmer's Oil Co., Treasurer of Riverdale School and was a member of the Bismarck Order of Elks. He was proud to be a founding member of the Vital Friends of Riverdale Ambulance Service—creating funds and resources for this important community service.

Bob loved his family and his times together with them, always. He especially loved his grandsons, Sam and Evan. He enjoyed watching them drive the farm vehicles and playing their sports.

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol; son, Rob (Kate) of Andover, MN; daughter, Doreen (Edward) of Streamwood, IL; grandsons, Sam and Evan Ash of Andover; sister, Delores (Speck) Helmbrecht, Chester, MT; brother, Jerry Ash of Bismarck; brother-in-law, Charles (Pete) Bethke of Great Falls, MT; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John & Dorothy Ash; paternal grandparents, Espy & Nellie Ash; maternal grandparents, Ferdinand & Dorothea Reimann; sister, Bonnie Bethke; and parents-in-law William & Getrude Rickner and sisters-in-law, Joan Rickner and Linda Ash.

Memorials can be given in Bob's name to either the Riverdale Ambulance Service (301 Dakota Ave) or the Riverdale Community Church (3 ^rd & Montana).