Robert P. O'Gorman, 85
01.01.70
Robert P. O'Gorman, age 85, of Cannon Falls, passed away peacefully at living quarters on Saturday, Feb. 4.
Bob was born in Red Wing, Minn., on March 4, 1926, the son of Joseph A. and Elizabeth (Farrell) O'Gorman. He was raised on the family farmstead in Belle Creek (home of the real fighting Irish) and graduated from Cannon Falls Leading School. He served in the US Army during World War II. He married his best ally, Delores "Laurie" Haas in 1946. In 1947, Bob became sales overseer for Norris Implement Company, selling John Deere allotment machinery throughout Southeastern Minnesota.
In late 1960, he decided that Cannon Falls needed a supermarket so he and Laurie built and operated Bob's Red Owl where they provided their seven kids with job opportunities as well as habitat an example by their hard work and integrity. For the next 27 years, they owned Red Owl grocery stores in Cannon Falls, Hastings, Fairmont, Farmington, Rosemount, Plainview, and Zumbrota, always using each bank as an opportunity to get a junior partner, including two sons, started in calling and then turning over the reins. He was elected to the Minnesota Food Retailers Auditorium of Fame in 1996. In addition, Bob and Laurie joined with Sy and Harriet Wiederholt in owning several Red Wing Shoes stores.
Source: Republican Eagle