Robert V. Wells

Robert V. Wells (97) went to be with his Lord on February 18, 2014 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown, ND.

Robert was born on May 19, 1916 at Crosby, ND, the son of Verne and Orpha (Beard) Wells. The family moved to Robinson, ND in 1924 where he attended school and was graduated from high school in 1933. After graduating from Jamestown College in 1937, Robert taught in Pingree, ND and Frazee, MN. He served in the army from 1942 until 1945.

Robert married Enid Jampsa of Wolf Lake, MN on May 31, 1943 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. They moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1946 where he taught music in the LA school system and completed a Masters Degree in Music Education at USC. Music became his life long passion. While in California three children were born: Charles, Thomas and Catherine.

In 1956 the family moved to Robinson, ND where Robert worked in the Security State Bank, eventually becoming president. Two more children, Frank and Ruth, were born while in Robinson. He was an active member of his church and community, involved in Boy Scouting, Lions and the Kidder County Fair. He directed the United Methodist Church choir and other community groups. Bob served as president of the North Dakota Bankers Association in 1971/72. He was inducted into the Jamestown College Alumni Hall of Fame and was also a member of the Jamestown College Board of Trustees. Bob was a Master Mason for 75 years at the Masonic Lodge in Steele, ND.

Robert retired from banking in 1984. He enjoyed gardening and traveling with Enid. They enjoyed bus tours, Elder Hostels, cruises and visiting family around the country. His love of music continued for the rest of his life.

Robert is survived by Enid, his wife of 70 years; children Charles (Connie), Thomas (Mary) all of Jamestown; Catherine (Errol) Dimenstein of Tucson, AZ, Ruth of Petaluma, CA and Frank (Julie) of Cambridge, MN; grandchildren Robert C. (Shirla), Jason (Rebecca), Jeremy, Bryan, Jonathan, April (Pete) L?Orange and Joanne (Brian) Cole; great grandchildren Christopher, Erik, Ryan, Carter, Eden, Addison, Liam and step great grandchild Emily Cole; brother John Wells of Sonoma, CA and numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Jane and her husband Harold Reed and Esther and her husband Robert Kneeland.