Robert "Bob" Hochsprung, age 78 of Turtle Lake, ND died July 1, 2011 at a Bismarck hospital.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, July 7th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake with Pastor Betty J. Stedman officiating and Pastor Randy Emgarten assisting. Interment will follow at the St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 133.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM Wednesday at Goetz Funeral Home in Turtle Lake with a prayer service at 7:30 PM.

Robert L. "Bob" was born August 29, 1932 in Turtle Lake, ND to Fred & Synneva (Hauge) Hochsprung. His formative years were spent on a farm in the Strawberry Lake area near Ruso, ND. These early years produced many fond memories for him, such as herding cows, riding horses, picnicking, swimming, and boating at Strawberry Lake. He attended rural school near Ruso, ND and later attended school in Minot. Following his school years, Bob worked on highway construction as a heavy equipment operator. In Sept. 1952, he entered the U.S. Army and was trained as a diesel mechanic. He was stationed in the Arctic for eleven months where he constructed radar sites with the 362nd Engineers Division. He was honorably discharged on Sept, 1954 at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Bob returned to North Dakota and worked on road construction until 1958 when he became employed as a Lineman for McLean Electric Cooperative. Bob worked 20 years for McLean Electric and left as a Line Foreman. He then went to work for Cooperative Power and later the Falkirk Mine employed as a Maintenance Supervisor. The highlight of his time working at the mine was operating the 120 yd. draglines. Bob retired from Falkirk Mine in 1996. He often reminded people the smartest thing he ever did was marry his loving wife, Maureen Nelson, on Nov. 17, 1957. Together they made their home in Turtle Lake and raised two children. Bob and his family enjoyed their cabin on Crooked Lake where they spent many weekends fishing, boating, & swimming. He also enjoyed designing and building things, such as his home in Turtle Lake, a 34ft. houseboat, and a rubber-tracked bulldozer. Bob was a member of the American Legion Post 133 of Turtle Lake where he served as Commander along with Service Officer for many years. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the Veterans Memorial Monument in Turtle Lake. Bob was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the church council. He also served on the Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and was the building inspector for the City of Turtle Lake for over 30 years.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen Hochsprung of Turtle Lake; one daughter, Paula Hochsprung of Bismarck; one son, Rory (Julie) Hochsprung of Pick City, ND; four grandchildren, Brandon Schock, Paige Schock, Parker Schock, & Morgan Hochsprung; three sisters, Marjorie (Wally) Hornberger of Vancouver, WA, Lou Ella Anderson of Velva, ND, & Marlys (Roy) House of Missouri; two brothers, Albert (Doris) Hochsprung of Minot, & Theodore "Ted" Hochsprung of Ruso; brothers & sisters-in-law, Merlin & Violet Nelson, Clarence & Blanche Okerson, Neil & Mary Ann Nelson, Wally Bastian, Ruth Nathan, & Irvin Bauer; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, two nephews (Larry Okerson & Kevin Hochsprung), one niece (Nicole Ekstrom), five brothers-in-law (Orval Nelson, Don Nelson, Richard Nathan, Milt Bradford, & Bill Anderson), five sisters-in-law (Dorothy Nelson, Frances Bastian, Eunice Bradford, Virginia Nelson, & Darlene Hochsprung), and his mother & father-in-law (Marcus & Edith Nelson).

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor's charity of choice.