Robert Arthur Lundell ’58
1935-1987
Written by his brother, Don Lundell.
Robert (Bob) Arthur Lundell was born February 12, 1935. Four years later I, Donald, joined the family. Robert was only seven when he contacted polio in 1942. After spending two years at Sister Kenny going through polio treatment, Robert left confined to a wheelchair.
Our family moved from Richfield to Minneapolis so that Robert could attend Michael Dowling School for handicapped children. There he thrived as a student and also learned how to play the violin which he enjoyed until he lost two fingers while he and I were working on one of our many “projects.” Robert had a very creative mind.
After graduation from Marshall High School, he was accepted at Macalester College. At that time it was not handicap accessible, but that didn’t deter Robert. He’d drive his car equipped with hand controls to college, reach his wheelchair out, and off he would go. Since there were no ramps, his helpful friends would carry him in his wheelchair up the steps. A lunch once and a while or a small gift was his way to say thanks to those buddies that helped him so often. Nothing seemed to stand in his way of furthering his education. At Macalester, he majored in Business Administration with a minor in Math.
After College graduation, he got a job working for an insurance company where he became vice president and treasurer. There, he heard comments like: “Thank you for helping me solve numerous problems;” “So nice to have a ‘right hand man’ like you;” and “I couldn’t have asked for a better friend than you.” He continued in their employ until his death.
Boats were an important part of our lives. Robert, Dad and I built several boats together and purchased others through the years. Robert always enjoyed driving our boats — all named “Miss Behav’n” — around lakes and down rivers. So when our father suggested that they take a course given by the United States Power Squadrons he was delighted to join him. After earning the rank of navigator from the United States Power Squadron, he actively volunteered in local power squadrons as an instructor in boat safety. He helped organize power squadrons in Minnetonka and St. Paul.
It was at Indoor Sports Club that he met his wife, Pauline, whom he later married. They built a house in New Hope, which Robert designed and helped build an elevator to take him from the main level of their rambler to his work area in the basement. He also did all his own lawn and yard work, except for snow removal.
During his life he was presented with many awards for accomplishments, among them the Good Neighbor Award from WCCO in 1974, for his work with Indoor Sports Club; Minnesota Coalition for the Handicapped; KTCA-TV’s Action Auction Fund; and United States Power Squadron. He won the Rose and Jay Phillips Award for Outstanding Physically Handicapped Employees from the Minnesota Society for Crippled Children and Adults. He received one of five Outstanding Employees with Disabilities Awards from the Sister Kenny Institute Projects with Industry. Many plaques hung upon his office wall indicating his outgoing personality and activities he was involved in.
Robert was an incredible person who never let his disability hinder him. He influenced many a life with his encouragement and enthusiasm. In 1987 at age of 52, a massive heart attack cut his life on this earth short.