Robert "Bob" Quenette

Robert “Bob” Gordon Quenette, age 93, of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026. Bob was born in Hope, ND, on October 2, 1932 to John and Ardell (Moen) Quenette.

As a young boy, he moved with his parents and younger brother, Daune “Butch”, to Hibbing, MN, until the age of 11. He returned to Fargo with his mother and brother, and they lived across the street from the original Island Park swimming pool. He and his brother spent many hours swimming, lifeguarding, and creating swimming shows. Bob loved swimming, scuba diving, and became a life long diver and swimmer at the YMCA, area lakes, and eventually in the swimming pool at the Lincoln Park Condominium.

At age 15, with the help of his mother, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He turned 16 on a troop ship to Tokyo, Japan. His military duties were demolition diving, military police, electrical lineman, and his favorite – a military lifeguard at the Royal Tokyo Swimming Pool next to the Imperial Palace. He was discharged at age 19 and returned to Fargo.

He became the owner of Bob’s Commercial Disposal and established routes throughout downtown Fargo, the hospitals, and the businesses on Main Avenue.

Bob and Deloris lived north of Fargo South High School with their four children; Terry, Gerald “Jerry”, Kerry, and Bobbi Lynn. They were all very active in sports and he attended as many events as possible.

Bob truly enjoyed working and being active. In addition to owning his business, he always had at least one other part-time job. After the sale of his disposal business, he worked for McLaughlin’s RV and Marine for 35 years and worked part-time for Valley Bus LLC. At 80 years old, he downsized to one full time job at McLaughlin’s. At age 85, he retired from McLaughlin’s and worked part-time as a school bus para until age 91.

Bob enjoyed being active with his life partner Jan and spent all of their free time at Big Cormorant Lake with Jan’s family at her family’s summer cabin. Later he and Jan moved to Tracy’s RV Park on Leaf Lake where they had a waterfront park model with a sand beach and opened their beach to all of their wonderful neighbors and children. Bob was the lifeguard, swim coach, and honorary grandfather to all the children in the area. His pontoon was his beach chair where he spent many hours on the water or parked at the dock. He was the happiest with Jan at the lake or on one of their many “warm water” vacations, enjoying all the watersports with her. This included many cruises, beach vacations and trips to Hawaii. At age 85, he was still swimming and diving.

He is preceded in death by Deloris Quenette, Sandy Mullins, son Jerry, daughter Bobbi Lynn, and brother Duane.

His surviving family includes Jan Stuverud, sons Terry and Kerry, 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. His half-sisters are Cheryl (Bill) Zarns, Charmaine (Robert) Richard, and Judy Halverson. He and Jan were also very proud of being adopted as honorary grandparents by their special lake family, the K’s, as they called them. This wonderful family has been an important part of their lives for over 15 years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Atonement Lutheran Church of Fargo, or HIA Hospice. Bob’s family and Jan would like to thank Kinder Care Assisted Living, Atonement Lutheran Church, and HIA Hospice for their wonderful care of Bob the past two years.