Robert John Henderson, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD.

Robert was born on July 18, 1936 in Kirk, SD to Clarence and Dorothy (Mackinnon) Henderson. He attended Lead public schools, and graduated from Lead High School in 1954. After high school, Robert attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, and University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, earning an engineering degree. His many career achievements included designing an engraving machine for Jostens Inc, and creating Computer-Aided Design/Drafting (CADD), and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems. He was also a US Air Force veteran (Sergeant).

During his life he enjoyed traveling and camping with family. He was skilled at carpentry and remodeling and enlarging the living space of family homes. He enjoyed the arts and culture, and acted in plays in local theatre groups. In his younger years, he earned his pilot's license, and loved to take a single-engine Cessna for a spin every now and then.

He truly loved the out-of-doors, especially hiking, fishing, and biking in the Black Hills where he retired in his 60s. He became a local handyman in the Lead area, and spent many hours playing cribbage with his friends in Lead. He was an avid reader and mastered Sudoku and other challenging word games. Robert also worked in Christ Episcopal Church in Lead, and treasured many rewarding conversations with Fr. Ron Hennies. He also spent many happy years after retirement with his hometown sweetheart and loving soulmate, Mary Samson.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Margot Dorothy Henderson of Kingman, AZ; his son, William John Henderson of Lake Worth, FL; his ex-wife, Barbara Henderson of Lake Worth, FL; grandchildren, Kaylee (Robbie) Buell and Seth Henderson, both of Lake Worth, FL; his brothers, Keith (Kandis) Henderson of Carroll, IA, and Steve (Gail) Henderson of Papillion, NE; his cousin, Evelyn Murdy of Lead, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Charles and George; his daughter, Colleen Mae Henderson (passed tragically from cancer in 1971 at 10 years of age); his sister, Maxine Kermu; and his parents, Clarence and Dorothy Henderson.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD, where Robert lived for the past two years. We appreciate their sincere love and dedication to our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, 2021 at the Christ Episcopal Church in Lead.

Committal services with military honors will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 21, 2021 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.