Robert C. Cockburn

Robert Cockburn of Forest Lake passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2024 with family by his side.  Bob graduated from Forest Lake High School class of 1965. He served in the Army as an airplane mechanic during the Vietnam War.

One of the original Forest Lake City police officers, he patrolled for many years before becoming a Resource Officer at Forest Lake High School and later police investigator. He retired in 2004 after 30 years of service.  In 1982, he met the love of his life Rose Svec. They married in 1984 and raised 3 children in the house he grew up in. They celebrated 40 years of marriage this past August.

Bob was diagnosed in 2014 with Inclusion Body Myositis, a degenerative muscle disease that slowly limited his mobility. Despite his disease, he was an avid gardener and could be found tending to his expansive vegetable garden. 

In 2015, he took on his most cherished role as “Grampie” to his namesake, Robert. He would go on to love 4 more grandchildren.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Rose; daughter, Casie Fenner (Chad); son, Tom (Jenn); daughter, Allie Cockburn (Dan); grandchildren, Robert, Alexa, Henry, Audrey and William; sister, Barbara; and his adored four-legged companion, Bubba. Preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Helen; brothers, Thomas and William.

A special thank you to his caregiver and friend, Athena Miles, who provided him assistance and care the past 7 years.

Visitation will be at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake on Monday, December 16, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral Service on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the family who will gift to a charity of choice.