Robert O. "Bob" Gaard, age 78, of Brookings, died Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at the Brookings Hospital. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, with interment in the Spring Lake Covenant Cemetery south of Arlington, South Dakota. Visitations will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Robert Olav Gaard was born December 6, 1934, at Arlington, South Dakota, to Ole and Anna Charlotte (Erickson) Gaard. He attended country school and graduated from Lake Preston High School. He enrolled in classes at SDSU later in his working career. Bob served in the U.S. Navy for four years, four years in the Naval Reserve, and two years in the Seabees Reserve. On April 26, 1959, Bob married JoAnne Weinrich at First Lutheran Church in Arlington. Bob worked for many years for the Brookings Municipal Telephone Company, and retired as the marketing director. He held a realtor's license and helped set up Graybar in Brookings. For the last couple of years he has resided at the Golden Living Center in Arlington. Bob was a member of First Lutheran Church, American Legion, V.F.W., and Elks. He served as a Brookings volunteer fireman. He raced stock cars in his earlier years and also enjoyed water skiing, and golf. Survivors include his wife, JoAnne Gaard, of Brookings; two sisters: Norma Brendon of Sioux Falls and Mavis (Harold) Neuberger of Brookings; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Garry and Sheryl Wilaby and Ron Weinrich; and many nieces and nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers: Lloyd Gaard, Evald Gaard, and Arthur Gaard in infancy.