6/1/2020 7:19:00 AM Funeral for Robert Royston June 4 at Grace Church in Stewartville
Robert D. Royston, 93, of rural Stewartville, died on Thursday, May 28, 2020 of natural causes at his home with family by his side. Robert D. Royston was born on May 24, 1927 in Bellevue, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Willa (Lacock) Royston. He grew up in Bellevue, attended school there, graduating from Bellevue High School in 1945. He entered the U.S. Navy in July 1945 and served until August 1946. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home. Robert attended the University of Pittsburgh where he studied zoology. After college, he started his own contracting company, Royston Custom Homes. He married Donna Bailey in 1952 and later divorced. On Aug. 11, 1965, he married Diana Jo (Moon) Royston in Hampton Township, Pennsylvania. Robert and his family moved to Stewartville in 1974 and he was employed at Mayo Clinic for five years as a project manager. He worked on the Baldwin Building as it was being built and managed the construction of a number of downtown Mayo parking facilities. He was then employed with APCO and Standard Parking Association contractors, overseeing the operation of a number of downtown parking ramps until his retirement. Diana was a homemaker and was employed as an administrative assistant at Madonna Towers and a receptionist at Madonna Meadows for many years until her retirement. Bob was a longtime member of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Stewartville. He was an avid hunter; and both Robert and Diana enjoyed fishing and time spent at their trailer in Lake City. Bob enjoyed yardwork, mowing and landscaping at their country home. He was a Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirates fan and followed the Minnesota Twins. He loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. Robert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diana; his three sons, Rob (Kathy) of Cape Coral, Fla., Steve Royston of Alachua, Fla., and Jim (Jill) Royston of LeRoy; his stepdaughter, Debra (Kip) Andreas of Wexford, Penn.; stepson, Scott (Brenda) Frank of Bradford Woods, Penn.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Helen (Bradford) Hollingsworth and one brother, Joseph (Louise) Royston. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Stewartville with Dr. John Grams and Rev. Andrew Langseth officiating. Seating for the service will be limited to 25 percent of Grace Church's capacity or 100 people. A visitation for family and friends will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial, with military graveside honors, will follow at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston. The Royston family suggests memorials to Grace Church in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Robert are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com
