Robert Apostal

Robert (Bob) Apostal, 78, passed away on May 16, 2009, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Bob was born April 27, 1931, in Duluth, MN, to Jean (O'Brien) and Alexander Apostal. Bob grew up and attended school in Duluth. He served in the MN Air National Guard and US Air Force. Bob married Joyce Williams on July 18, 1953, and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The couple attended graduate school in Missouri where daughter Kathy was born. The couple also lived in Maine where son David was born. The family moved to Grand Forks where Bob was a professor in the Department of Counseling at UND for 25 years. He served as department chairperson for much of his tenure. Bob was appointed by then-Governor Sinner to lead the ND Board of Counselor Examiners. The board established the requirements for licensed counselors, and Dr. Apostal became the state's first Licensed Professional Counselor in 1990. Bob retired from UND in 1992 and maintained a small counseling practice focused on issues faced by senior citizens and their families. Bob and Joyce established the Friendship Circle Round Dance Club in Grand Forks. The couple traveled in the US and Canada teaching at round dance workshops and festivals. They were active in round dancing for 35 years. After retirement Bob and Joyce lived in Grand Forks, ND, and Thief River Falls, MN, and spent winters in Mesa, AZ. Bob was a trumpet player in the city bands in Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, and Mesa, and he was the band manager at the Venture Out RV Park in Mesa. Bob recently started studying the electric bass guitar. In addition to music and dance, Bob enjoyed sports and reading. Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce, and his children, Kathy and David. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John, and his sister, Jean.