Robert "Bob" Joseph Baustian, 41, El Cajon, Calif., formerly of Luverne, died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in his home.
Services were Saturday, Jan. 11, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.
Robert Baustian was born to Lester and Leora (Schievelbein) Baustian, on Aug. 25, 1961, in Luverne. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. He graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1980. He was active in the wrestling program in school.
He married Rose Boll in 1980 at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple later divorced. He attended Lakes Area Vo-Tech Airline Mechanic School in Watertown, S.D.
He entered the U.S. Navy in March 1983. He served as crew chief as a specialist mechanic on jet engines for more than 13 years. After the Navy, he joined the Army National Guard where he was head mechanic in the tank division. He had only five months left until a 20-year retirement. He recently worked as a mechanic on trucks and buses for Sterling Ford Motor Company in Miramar, Calif.
Mr. Baustian loved hiking, fishing and scuba diving with his two daughters. He was always joking.
Survivors include two daughters, Mallisa Baustian and Malinda Bustian, both of El Cajon; his parents; four brothers, Paul (Denae) Baustian, Harrisburg, S.D., Brian (Barb) Baustian, Garretson, S.D., Greg (Beth) Baustian, Worthington, and Kevin (Wendy) Baustian, Knoxville, Tenn.; three sisters, Anne (fiancée, Doug) Baustian, Black Hawk, S.D., Susan (Kevin) Culligan, Apple Valley, and Mary (Don) Olson, Denison, Iowa; and 14 nieces and nephews.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.