Robert W. Priestley

A loving and devoted father, grandfather and friend, Robert "Bob" Priestley, passed away peacefully into the arms of our Heavenly Father, in the presence of friends and family on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at the Luther Memorial Home at the age of 80. Robert Priestley was born on November 22, 1936 in Turtle Creek, Pennyslvania, the son of Richard and Caroline Priestley. Robert graduated from Turtle Creek High School in 1954 before marrying George Jacobs later that same year. He then enlisted in the US Air Force. Together, Bob and George had two daughters: Catherine and Deborah. While serving in the Air Force for 23 years, Robert found pure enjoyment in traveling around the world. Also, while in the Air Force, he became a competitive skeet shooter winning many awards over the years. One of his favorite military memories included being stationed in Turkey for over eight years. After retiring from the military, Bob met his life partner Sylvia Reynolds. In their time together, they lived in California, before returning to Mayville, North Dakota. It was there that Bob started his own business as a gunsmith. Throughout his life, Bob always was thinking of others. In his time in the military, when airmen didn't have a family to go home to, Bob would always invite them into his home. He was a very soft-hearted person. Bob was a Freemason for over 60 years: most recently a member of the Goose River Lodge #19 in Mayville, ND, as well as a member of the KEM Shrine. He was survived by his daughters: Catherine Dronen of Portland, ND, and Deborah Dunleavy of Sanford, FL; grandchildren: James (Melissa) Winton of Frisco, TX, Willliam Daniel (Bambi) Dunleavy of Sanford, FL and Levi Haugen of Portland, ND; great-grandchildren: Alyssa Winton, Skylar Winton, Taylor Winton, Kaitlynn Colligan, Marky Noe, William Daniel Dunleavy III, and Harper Grace Dunleavy. He was preceded in death by his wife: George; special friend: Sylvia; his parents: Richard and Caroline; brothers: Dennis and Wayne; and granddaughter: Shelby Lynn Haugen. The family of Robert Priestley would like to thank the staff at Luther Memorial Home and the Hospice of the Red River Valley for their compassionate care of Bob over the past several years. Visitation: Will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Friday, December 16, 2016 at Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville, ND. Military Honors: May~Port Honor Guard and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors. Burial: Will be at a later date.