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Herman R. “Bob” Fast

FAIRMONT — Funeral Services for Herman R. “Bob” Fast, 93, of Fairmont, MN, will be 10:30 AM on Friday, June 11, 2021, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Interment will be held at Mountain Lake Cemetery in Mountain Lake, MN. Those wishing to view a live stream of the service may do so at www.splfairmont.org. Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Bob passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening, June 5, 2021, at the St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, MN. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Herman Robert “Bob” Fast always believed in upward mobility. On Saturday, June 5, Bob received the ultimate call of upward mobility. Bob’s Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called Bob, and without hesitation, Bob gladly went to heaven.

Herman Robert “Bob” Fast was born in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, on Sept. 25, 1927, to Herman B. Fast and Anna (Wiebe) Fast. Bob was baptized in 1939 at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake. Bob attended rural country school for 7 years near Butterfield, Minnesota. Bob was 11 years old when his dad passed away. He and his mother moved to Mountain Lake, where he finished his schooling.

Bob played football and basketball while in high school. Bob had many memories of choir, class, plays, and school band. Bob graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1945. Bob was very proud of his Mountain Lake Mennonite work ethic that he injected into the rest of his life.

Bob attended the University of Minnesota, where he played football under legendary coach Bernie Bierman until he was released because of a military disability. Bob went happily.

Bob loved talking sports with Karson Janssen because it was always about the University of Minnesota.

Bob went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In February of 1960 Bob earned his Structural Engineer Degree in the state of California. Bob later earned a master’s degree from the State College of California, Los Angeles, in 1970 in public administration.

Bob was married to Doris Peters of Mountain Lake from 1948 until her passing in 1993. Bob and Doris had three children. Bob’s belief in upward mobility in a person’s career led him and his family to many wonderful opportunities. After Bob’s graduation from the University of Minnesota, he went to work for Boeing Airplane Company as a design engineer in Seattle, which landed him as a bridge engineer for the state of Washington. Bob was very proud of his bridge designs.

Bob moved back to Minnesota, where he was a bridge engineer for the state. He was hired by Mogney, Tussler & Setter Engineering in Minneapolis as a building structural design engineer.

Bob then moved onto Montgomery Ward as an industrial engineer. While there, he also applied his studies in time, space and motion for Montgomery Ward’s warehouses in Chicago. These talents of Bob’s did not stop him. He then was hired by Robin Hood Flour in Minneapolis as a project engineer. Bob’s upward mobility rapidly sent him to AeroJet General. He was hired as a project manager and assistant department head. Bob worked there for 10 years. During his years, Bob traveled the country, and ended up in Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was project manager on many of the missile silos that were built in Florida.

Bob then headed to what would be an outstanding career of community service for two communities in California. Bob started as a public service director and assistant city manager for West Covina. His passion for West Covina and its projects for a growing community were endless.

His work for West Covina then sent him on his upward mobility mantra to the city of Chino as city manager for four years. While at Chino, Bob was appreciated by his constituents. Bob’s tireless work was the start of a community that kept growing and was progressive. Bob then headed back to West Covina where he was city manager for 14 years. Bob’s relentlessness for progress was never-ending. Bob served on numerous boards and organizations in West Covina. His love for the city was always in his blood. Bob had former employees that have called and thanked him for his graciousness as a boss. Recently, Bob received calls thanking him for his direction and words of encouragement that led many to successful careers.

After retiring as West Covina’s city manager, he did private consulting until Doris’ passing. Bob then reunited with Odette (Hotzler) Janzen in the fall of 1994. Bob and Odette were united in marriage on Dec. 30, 1994. Bob referred to this union as his “Minnesota Miracle.”

Bob’s upward mobility kept going. Bob walked into Janzen’s Greenhouse, shook his head and said to Jon Janzen, “I believe these greenhouses are not square.” Bob would continue to use his structural engineering degree by building and refurbishing projects at the greenhouses.

Bob enjoyed his life with Odette. They traveled to Europe two different times, attending summer Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod conferences and for 17 years, spent time in Sedona and Scottsdale, Arizona. Bob had a great love of the Red Rock in Sedona and the many fine restaurants there.

Bob enjoyed a game of golf. He made many friends at Interlaken Golf Club. Dale, Swede, Ernie, Warren, Irv and all the guys made his life very enjoyable in Fairmont.

Bob and Odette enjoyed going out to eat. He made friendships with the waitresses and waiters at Green Mill and Bean Town restaurants, which further enhanced Bob’s life.

Bob loved sports over the years. Bob and Sentinel sports editor and friend Charlie Sorrells had many spirited conversations regarding Minnesota sports teams. Bob was always smiling and appreciative of all the businesses who came to do work at the house — from DeWar Electric to Day Plumbing to Landscaping Plus to Roy Boucher. Bob also liked all the people at Militello Motors and Graham Tire for their services. The employees at Janzens Greenhouse became Bob’s extended family; he truly loved all of them.

Bob was truly a man of faith. He and Odette held hands as they prayed before every meal. To witness his faith was a sight no words could ever do justice to. Bob’s faith was enduring throughout all of his life.

Bob’s engineering background and city management skills were integral to his everyday life. Bob’s meticulous nature led him to making fine opportunities for him and those who surrounded him.

Bob’s love of politics came to him early in life. As a young boy, Bob and his mother traveled with his father Herman B. Fast to St. Paul. Bob’s father was a two-time state representative — his first term as a Republican. Bob said his father felt the hand of God move him to the Democratic Party. Bob believed in everyone’s right to vote. Bob was extremely happy about the last presidential election.

The last 26 years Bob was surrounded by lots of love from family and friends. Bob loved everyone back.

Bob is survived by his wife of 26 years, Odette (Hotzler) Janzen Fast of Fairmont; three stepsons who were very dear and beloved to Bob — Bradley (Marcia) Janzen of Minnetonka, Mark (Gayle) Janzen of Fort Lupton, Colorado, and Jon (LaNette) Janzen of Fairmont; four grandchildren and two collie dogs, Violet and Halo Janzen.

Bob was married to Doris Peters from 1948 until her passing in 1993. He is survived by his three children from that union: Mary Kay McMillan of Alta Loma, California; Bob (Linda) Fast of Reno, Nevada; and Patty (Eric) Nelson of Middleton, Idaho; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by infinite family members. Father Herman, Mother Anna, four older sisters that were like mothers to Bob — Wilma Harder Jungas, Bertha Harder, Alma Young and Marie Ruth Wall.

Bob continuously had memberships in many churches and denominations, and joyfully remembered 50 years as church choir participant. Bob was a congregational president. He had a very deep faith and love of Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Bob enjoyed the many flowers that surrounded his life. Memorials can be sent in memory of Herman “Bob” Fast to Martin Luther High School in Northrop and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont.

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