Robert "Bob" Duane Hewitt

Robert "Bob" Duane Hewitt, 102, of Grand Forks, ND, went to be with his Lord and Savior, on Saturday, June 5, 2021, in his home from old age, surrounded by his children.

Bob was born September 13, 1918,  to Frank and Eva (Scott) Hewitt in Grand Forks, ND, and grew up on their family farm west of Minto, ND.  Growing up on the farm during the depression years, he learned to work hard.  After graduating from Minto High School in 1936, he became interested in flying, and earned his pilot license in 1939.  In March of 1941, he volunteered to serve in the US Army, 5th Air Force, 43rd Bomb Group.  After Pearl Harbor, he shipped out on the Queen Mary along with 12,000 other troops, to Australia and New Guinea, where he served as line chief mechanic and flight engineer on B-17 and B-24 Bombers. 

Returning home, he attended UND where he met the love of his life, Pauline Olsen, at a Wesley Foundation youth group.  They were married on June 6, 1948, at the First Methodist Church in Grand Forks.  After daughter Linda was born, the family moved to St. Paul, MN, to work for NorthWest Airlines.  It was there that Barbara was born. After being laid off, the family moved to Los Angeles, to work for Western Airlines, where they lived in a trailer court, and were invited by one of their neighbors to attend a Friday night Bible study.  Dad was amazed to find he could study the Bible for himself and discovered his need for a Savior.  Bob and Pauline asked Jesus into their hearts, were baptized, and began a new life in Christ in 1957.

They returned to Grand Forks in 1958 and settled near University Park, where son Mark was born.  They attended Grace Baptist Church for a number of years, and then joined Faith Evangelical Free Church in 1964. Bob was very active in the original City Mission, the Gideons, Child Evangelism, and had a Jail Ministry for 40 years.  In the 70's he helped start a Christian Brethren Assembly in Grand Forks which the family was a part of for many years.  He had a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.

He worked at the Montgomery Airspray and Morton Helicopters as an aircraft mechanic-flight instructor, and also had his own business Hewitt Aviation for a while. Later he worked for the city, fueling airliners, plowing runways, and operating the fire trucks. He retired in 1985.  After the flood in 1997,  Bob and Pauline enjoyed many winters in Sunland Village, Mesa, AZ. 

Bob was easy going, quiet natured and enjoyed spending time at home with his family.  He is survived by his children, Linda (Craig) Coffman, Barbara (David) Estill, both of Mesa, AZ, and son Mark Hewitt of Grand Forks. Sister Frances Halverson of Florida, four grandchildren, Christine, Rob, Robyn, Kelly, and nine great grand children.  He was preceeded in death by his parents, Frank and Eva, siblings Margorie, Mary Lou, Janet, and wife of 62 years, Pauline.

Special thanks to respite caregivers Stephanie and Karen who showed such love and care for Dad.