Robert Hoekstra, age 82, of Ada, MN, formerly Twin Valley, MN, died unexpectedly Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in his home. Bob was born on March 4, 1935, to Martin and Wilma Hoekstra. He was born and raised on the farm near Twin Valley. He was baptized, confirmed and served on several committees at Zion Lutheran Church. Bob attended school in Twin Valley and graduated from the Agriculture School in Crookston in 1954. After graduation, he worked for Mutchler Farms in Northwood, ND, until entering the U.S. Air Force in December 1956. While in Northwood he met and married Letty Wisler on December 27, 1956. While in the Air Force his job was a propeller mechanic mainly on K-B 50's and C-130 aircraft. He attended basic training at Lackland A.F.B, Texas, mechanic training at Chanute A.F.B, Illinois and Warner Robins A.F.B., Georgia. He was on the Honor Drill Team. While at Langley A.F.B, Virginia, his son Michael was born in 1960. Bob spent numerous temporary duty assignments in many places around the world to include Granada, Vietnam, Greenland, Australia, Newfoundland, Guam, Taiwan, and South America to name a few. He spent four years at Lajes A.F.B, Azores, Portugal and his son Mitchell was born there in 1964. Bob was also stationed in Wichita, Kansas and Little Rock A.F.B., Jacksonville, AK. While stationed at Eielson A.F.B. in Alaska, his daughter Melinda was born in 1968. Upon leaving Alaska he was stationed at Keesler A.F.B. in Biloxi, MS, before he was sent to Vietnam for 1 1/2 years. Bob was later stationed at Clark A.F.B., Philippines during the Fall of Vietnam. After the Philippines it was back to Little Rock A.F.B. until his retirement in 1979. He retired with honors as a Senior Master Sergeant. He received many awards and medals during his service to our country. Through the years, Bob enjoyed dancing, horses, car races, rodeos, playing cards, golfing, baseball, bowling, traveling, taking college courses, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, collecting toy tractors along with antique tractors. Bob had several old tractors refinished and enjoyed driving them in local parades. He served on several boards and committees in the community over the years. He especially enjoyed spending time with his love of family, relatives and friends. In June of 1979, upon his retirement, he was able to begin his dream of farming. He attended the Vo-Tech for agriculture in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He was able to buy the family farm and raised crops and beef cattle. In 1991, he received Conservation Farmer of the Year. He farmed for 20 years. After retiring he worked at the Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen, MN, as a blackjack dealer and pit boss until retirement. May 2, 2004, Bob was united in marriage to Arlene Melhoff and they resided in Twin Valley and later in Ada, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Rhonda Rae; brother, Gerald; and daughter-in-law Jackie Hoekstra. He is survived by his wife, Arlene of Ada, MN; Arlene's children: Gary, Karen, Allen, Aaron and Crystal; her grandchildren, Jamison and Phillip; his children: Michael Hoekstra of Roy, Utah, Mitchell (Stacie) Hoekstra and Melinda (Gene) Thompson all of Twin Valley, MN; grandchildren: Damian (Jennifer) Hoekstra, Dominique Hoekstra, Katera Bakke, Kyle Thompson, Savanna Hoekstra, and Soren Hoekstra; great-grandchildren, Zara Bakke and Owen Jensen; and a brother, Dennis (Renae) Hoekstra of Twin Valley, MN.