Robert "Bob" Claggett

Robert “Bob”  Claggett, formerly of Montevideo, died on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 at the Zepher Haven Nursing Home in Zephyrhills, Florida at the age of 83.  Memorial services will be conducted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Tim Lindhorst officiating.  There will be visitation will the family for one hour prior to services at the church.  Anderson Funeral Home of Montevideo is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Robert (Bob) Claggett was born December 12, 1918, in Montevideo, Minnesota to Maurice and Edna Claggett.  He was baptized in the Lutheran faith.  He grew up in Montevideo and became an Eagle Scout in 1936.  He attended Montevideo schools, graduating from Montevideo High School in 1937.  On June 17, 1942 he was united in marriage to Hermoine Sundem (also from Montevideo) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.  They just observed their 60th anniversary this year.

He attended college courses in Wichita, Kansas while he was employed at Beech Aircraft.  Later he became Manager of a Sears store, then worked at Northern States Power as a Salesman.  He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was in the glider program at Roswell, New Mexico.  After he was discharged, he was in the war training service teaching army cadets to fly at Fargo, North Dakota.  He was the first operator at Montevideo Airport, running a flying school.  He was a certified flight instructor and held several other ratings including an examiner rating issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.  He built several houses including some in Montevideo in “Claggett’s addition”.  In Alexandria, Minnesota, he became the Chief Engineer and Test Pilot for Belanca Aircraft.  There he designed the nose landing gear and made other changes to the aircraft.  In 1965, he started Aqua Float Corporation, designing and building seaplane pontoons (floats) for small single engine airplanes.  He started the business in St. Paul, MN, moved it to Lino Lakes, MN and then to then to Zephyrhills, FL, where he operated it for many years.  He retired temporarily before going to work in a juice and coffee dispenser plant owned by Lykes Bros. in Zephyrhills, where he was again designing and creating.  He was currently retired and living in Zephyrhills.

Bob was a Mason, Shriner, VFW and a Legion member.  He recently received a 50-year pin for each.  Through the float business, he was a member of the United States Seaplane Pilots Association and wrote a paperback book, “How to Fly Floats”.

Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as flying.  He was issued the first permit in the state of Minnesota for hunting predators from the air.  Fishing in Canada was a favorite.  He liked to fly up in a seaplane and “puddle jump” from lake to lake to see where the fish were biting.

Bob is survived by his wife Hermoine (Kit) of Zephyrhills, FL; 3 sons: Terry Claggett and his wife Helen of Alexandria, MN;  Brad Claggett and his wife Carol of Kensington, MN; and Brian Claggett and his wife Donna of Zephyrhills, FL; a grandchild, Cory Claggett of St. Cloud, MN; step grandchildren:  Brian Schwartz of Alexandria, MN and Eric Kromving of Blaine, MN; 4 step great grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Smolley of Clarkfield, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents,  Maurice and Edna Claggett, a son, Jeffrey Claggett a great granddaughter, Naija Claggett, and by brothers, Wilbur and Richard Claggett.