Robert L. Ching, son of Melvin H. and Ella (Holthe) Ching, was born May 28, 1924 at Castlewood, South Dakota. He grew up there and graduated from Castlewood High School in 1941. Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II and after his discharge was united in marriage to Shirley Gronewold on April 27, 1947 at St. Martin's Lutheran Church. In 1948 they started farming near Castlewood and continued until retiring in 2000. After retirement he worked part time at HyVee and the Hamlin County Weed Department before fully retiring in 2009. Bob died on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown at the age of 87 years. He was a life-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served as a trustee and elder several times. In 1983 he was a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbytery. Bob also served on the Hidewood Township Board for 40 years and was a elected Director of HD Electric Board in 1972 and served there for 33 years. He was a Director at East River Electric for 23 years starting in 1982 and was also a delegate to the Basin Electric Board in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was elected to the Electric Coop Hall of Fame on October 6, 2005 which was proclaimed Robert Ching Day by Governor Rounds. Bob's military service was very important to him and he was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post in Castlewood and was also a member of the VFW in Watertown. Bob loved farming and bowling and in later years enjoyed playing golf. Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Steve Ching and his wife Marlys of Castlewood, David Ching and his wife Lee of Plymouth, MN, Terry Ching and his wife Kathy of Watertown, Mike Ching of Watertown, Linda Gerhold and her husband Dan of Castlewood, Doug Ching and his wife Vicky of Estelline; 21 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law Marvel Johnson of Watertown; and a host of other relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Shirley of nearly 65 years on February 27, 2012; one son Mark John; his parents; one brother Richard H. Ching; and one sister Ruth Jungers. His funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Friday, May 18, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Castlewood. Visitation will be from 4PM to 7PM Thursday at Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood.