Robert “Bob” Earl James Aird, age 74, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026. Born on Dec. 17, 1951, in Hettinger, N.D., Bob was the son of the late George Clarence and Anna Marie (Enzi) Aird.

Bob spent his early years with a sense of freedom that defined much of his life, fondly remembering a childhood where he and his siblings could run free until the dinner bell rang. That independent spirit followed him into adulthood. Though he briefly served in the U.S. Army during boot camp, Bob found his true calling in the trades. A skilled electrician and welder, Bob had a natural knack for leadership; he often joked that his proudest career achievement was “surviving,” yet he frequently found himself moved into management roles within months of starting any new venture.

To know Bob was to know a man of immense intellect and a sharp, skeptical wit. A voracious reader, Bob tackled nearly 500 books a year, with a particular fondness for thrillers, mysteries and science fiction. He lived by the philosophy that “an elephant is a mouse built to government specification,” a reflection of his lifelong preference for common sense and individual efficiency over bureaucracy.

Bob was a loyal friend, maintaining deep connections with those he met as far back as his freshman year of high school. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: a good book, a country western song on the radio, and the company of a good dog.

He is survived by his siblings, Georgia “Gigi” Deutschlander and Cindy Boucher, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Mark Aird, his niece Renee Rosen, his nephew Dylan Deutschlander and two siblings who died in infancy.

Bob also leaves behind his lifelong friend, Cary Kann, and dear friends Gary Brooks, Joanne Peter and John Miller.

In keeping with Bob’s love for animals, the family requests that memorial donations be made to local animal shelters, with a preference for those supporting his favorite companions: dogs.