Robert Hasbrook

July 27, 1941 - July 18, 2014

Robert Hasbrook, 72, passed away at his home in Andover, Minnesota. His family received the news of his passing on Christmas morning – December 25, 2013. His health had been failing the past few months, but it wasn’t until early December that he learned that cancer had taken over his body. Even then, he didn’t share the knowledge of his condition with family or friends. Bob was born July 27, 1941 in Estherville, Iowa to Lester Edwin and Louise (Muncy) Hasbrook. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald. He graduated from Estherville High School, attended college and then went into the Army. He was stationed in West Berlin, Germany and where he was responsible for military documents. After his discharge, he returned to college at Mankato State University where he received a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and clinical Psychology. After graduation, he began a long and distinguished career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the State of Minnesota. He was innovative in developing a number of successful projects and service models for the State. Throughout his career, he always carried and enormous caseload of the most difficult clientele. His co-workers attest to the fact that he was a very dedicated and truly enjoyed his work. Even after retirement, was willing to assist them in overcoming obstacles they might encounter. Bob was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying both fishing and hunting. He enjoyed fishing the many lakes in northern Minnesota and never missed an opening day. Each June, he and his fishing buddies would spend ten days at Lac Suel, near Ear Falls Ontario, Canada. In the fall he hunted in the Chippewa National Forest near where he had built a cabin. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie and storytelling that goes along with a hunting and fishing group. He was an avid collector of rare and hard to find books involving hunting, fishing, rod building and fly tying. After retirement, he became involved with the Custom Rod Builders Guild, an international association whose member design and build highly original and often exotic fishing rods. His rods were beautiful works of art and were often awarded “Best in Show”. He became very dedicated in every branch of the Guild, helping make it the success it is today. He treasured the many good friends he made over the years and served as their president until just before his death. Bob is survived by his brother Richard and wife Carolyn of Ames, Iowa and their two sons, Michael of Broomfield, Colorado and Daniel of Marina, California, and Michael’s wife Valerie and their sons, Colin and Ryan and cousins, Corrine Brown and Lynda Novotny. Robert’s wishes were to be cremated. A Celebration of Life memorial service will held on Friday afternoon, July 18th at 2:00 p.m. at the Stark-Welin Chapel in Boone, Iowa with Rev. Linda Poore officiating. A private interment service for the family will be held in the Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Cards may be sent to his family at 1659 X Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014. In Robert’s memory, memorials to the Custom Rod Builders Guild may be sent to Ron Haack, 5118 Deerwood Lane N.E., Bemidji, Minnesota 56601.