Robert Joseph Young

Robert Joseph Young, 84, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, at Avera St. Luke’s.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Carlsen Funeral Home, Aberdeen.

 Military Honors will follow the service in the funeral home parking lot. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the military honors at the Refuge Retreats Clubhouse.

The burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home.

Carlsen Funeral Home, 1708 8th Ave NE, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.aberdeenfuneralhome.com. 

Robert Joseph Young was born November 7, 1940, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Bob was the firstborn of Joseph and Theresa. At the age of one, Bob’s family moved to No. California during WWII seeking employment opportunities. They returned to Aberdeen when Bob was 7, where he attended St. Mary ‘s. He held numerous jobs as a child to supplement the family income – delivering newspapers, shoveling sidewalks, tilling gardens, and shining shoes. As a child, he enjoyed attending movies at the numerous theaters in Aberdeen, even meeting some of his cowboy idols. At the age of 13, he began spending summers at his Uncle John’s farm near Onaka, helping with the chores, driving teams, and riding horses.

At the age of 15 ½, Bob joined the National Guard. After graduating from Central High School, Bob entered the US Army Reserves, and in 1960, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He began basic training in 1961, MCRD, San Diego. His Platoon achieved 100% qualification in firearms, Bob himself firing expert 3 times with the M16 and 3 times with the 45-caliber pistol. His platoon graduated as the Honor Platoon.

While serving as a Marine, he met the love of his life, Marlene. Eventually proposing over a ham radio from Vietnam, they married on November 17, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii, while Bob was on R&R from Vietnam. Bob adopted Marlene’s three children, Ken, Garrett, and Charlene.

During his 20 years in the Marine Corps, he served multiple tours in Vietnam, Japan, and the Philippines. He served as a recruiter in Fargo and an air traffic controller in Santa Ana, California; El Toro, California; and Yuma, Arizona. Bob took part in the evacuation of Americans from Nom Pen in Cambodia and Saigon.

Bob was awarded a Purple Heart in 1967 for injuries received in combat in Vietnam. He received other injuries in Vietnam, including being struck by lightning. Bob was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and allowed to wear the Combat V for duties performed in an exemplary and highly professional manner, demonstrating superior initiative and presence of mind in operations against the Viet Cong, in the Republic of Viet Nam from 1967-68. He received a Meritorious Mast for outstanding performance and professional competence for his recruiting duties when stationed in Fargo, ND, from 1968-1071. In 1976, he received a Meritorious Mast for guiding a civilian aircraft which lost and experiencing turbulence to a safe landing at USMC Air Station in Yuma, AZ avoiding a possible catastrophic situation.

Officially retiring in 1981, he returned to college, earned his California Certified Nurseryman certificate, was an assistant manager at Osco-Savon, and drove semi-trucks. They lived in California, Montana, and North Dakota, he and Marlene eventually returned to South Dakota, purchasing a 160-acre farm and building a home by himself. He and Marlene took a trip of a lifetime to Portugal and were planning a return trip until she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Bob lovingly cared for her during her valiant battle. Bob enjoyed traveling, being outdoors, camping, hunting, and fishing. He was talented in many ways - art, photography, stained glass and wood carving. He was a student of history and an avid reader. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed making Mickey Mouse pancakes for them.

Bob was grateful to: Big Brother Dick Doyle, his wife Elaine and family; the Jean & Dick Lindsey Family, the Don Hehn Family, USMC Brantz Batey and his family, for believing in him and providing a warm place to sleep, a hot meal and other kindnesses when he needed it most. His Central High School biology teacher, Mr. Conklin, for not giving up on him and instilling him with a love of learning, and NSU Football Coach Clark Swisher for providing a safe ride home from Deadwood with the football team to a couple of wayward boys in search of adventure. His Drill Instructors SSGT. Lee and SGT. Eaton, two of the finest Marines that ever lived, for molding him into a Marine. And finally, to all of his Marine and MATCA comrades, many who have preceded Bob in death: Semper Fi.

Honored for sharing his life are his son, Kenneth (Nancy), daughter, Charlene (Chuck); daughter-in-law Karen (Garrett); sisters, Teri (Don) and Ann (Mike), brother Kurt; Grandchildren: Chelsea (Adam), Daniel (Michele), Ryan (Ashley), Brandon, Carly, Garrett Wayne, and Andrea. Great-grandchildren: Ashlyn and Emmarie (Chelsea); Terran and Owen (Ryan); Hudson and Nora (Garrett Wayne); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marlene; his loving mother, Theresa; his father, Joseph; his son, Garrett Lynn; his grandson, Nick; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

His family would like to thank Avera’s ICU doctors, nurses, and staff for their excellent care.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests donations in honor of Bob be made to the Wounded Warrior Regiment (https://www.woundedwarrior.marines.mil/).

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