Robert Aronson

Robert Forsman Aronson, 59, of St. Petersburg, Florida, departed this life Monday, April 13, 2015 in his boyhood home in Afton, Minnesota surrounded with the prayers, love, and gratitude of his family and loving friends.

Bob was born in Minneapolis on June 19, 1955 to Chet and Marice (Larson) Aronson. His family moved to the St. Croix River valley in 1963 where Bob became an expert snow skier and developed a lifelong love for the river. Special memories from those days include his time as a counselor at the Cathedral of the Pines church camp in Lutsen, Minnesota. He attended Stillwater High School and received a BA from Hamline University in Music & Theatre. Bob sang in numerous productions with the Minnesota Opera and for several years traveled extensively throughout the United States with the Musical/Theatrical Quartet "Minstrel" performing primarily at themed festivals and renaissance fairs. Bob also studied at the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain which launched an entertainment career that would take him all over the world.

A versatile actor with wonderful vocal talents Bob filled a wide variety of leading roles including Juan Peron in EVITA, Rohna in GRAND HOTEL, King Arthur in CAMELOT, Stine in CITY OF ANGELS, Starbuck in 110 IN THE SHADE, Voltaire/Pangloss in CANDIDE to name but a few. While performing the role of Captain Von Trapp in SOUND OF MUSIC during a tour of the Far East Bob met fellow cast member Sandal Shamas who became his bride on April 26, 1997 in St. Petersburg, Florida. To this union was born the two people he loved most in life, his daughters Taylor (14) and Amber (10).

Bob was a long time resident of New York City but for the last 10 years resided in St Petersburg. Bob was employed by Tech Data as a corporate relationship manager but in his heart always remained a Thespian, performing last in "MIKADO" at the freeFall Theatre during April, 2014.

Bob is survived by his precious daughters Taylor and Amber and his former wife Sandal, all of St. Petersburg, Florida, his loving mother Mrs. Chet (Marcie) Aronson of Hudson, Wisconsin, his brother Steve (Nancy) Aronson of Afton, Minnesota, and his sister Chris (Dean) Vaughn of Marshalltown, Iowa. Very special to Bob were his "Best Man" Paul Englund of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the truest of friends Jeannie Morrison of St. Paul, Minnesota and Bruce Murray of Vienna, Austria, all 3 of whom came to be with him during his last days. Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ray and Edith Larson and Chet and Ruth Aronson, his father Chet Aronson, Jr and his beloved little sister Victoria Ann Aronson.

Bob had the kindest of hearts and was a special person to everyone he met, always offering a friendly smile and an encouraging word. He was the best uncle in the world to 8 adoring nieces and nephews to whom he sent intriguing and unusual gifts from all over the world.

Bob waged a valiant battle against cancer and did not fear death. In one of his finest roles as Don Quixote/Cervantes in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Bob captured the essence of his faith in a Living God when he sang these words from the incomparable song "The Impossible Dream"

"And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest"

Services for Bob will be held Friday, April 24 at Memorial Lutheran Church, 15730 Afton Blvd South, Afton, Minnesota. The family will greet visitors from 10:00 to 11:30, at which time there will be a celebration of his life.

A memorial scholarship has been established in Bob's name at the freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida. Please visit http://freefalltheatre.com/join.html/#membership for more information.