Bob was a professor of Business at Southwest Missouri State University and Winona State College in Minnesota. He also taught business classes at Mankato State College, and the University of Minnesota. Bob worked at First Bank Systems, where he developed the first ATMs, Traveler's Express, and was vice-president of Merchant Services at First Data. In addition, Bob developed what has turned into the "NFL Shop."
Bob married Anne Harvey on November 25, 1966. They had two beautiful girls on November 24, 1974. Contrary to popular belief, Becky and Kristy were NOT born in the Minnesota Vikings stadium, since Anne made Bob leave before halftime. They raised the girls in Burnsville, MN and Lakeville, MN before moving to Elkhorn, NE in 1989. Bob's beloved wife Anne passed away on August 12, 1995. Their first granddaughter, BreAnn was born on August 19, 1995.
Bob met Susan in 1995 when he was vice-president of Knowledge Engineering at First Data. Bob and Susan were married on May 7, 1999. Bob completely and fully loved his entire new family, which included Pat and Katy Heermann, as well as his new extended family. After Bob left First Data he established his own recruiting business, Ferris and Associates LLC (Thanks to Stacie and Anya Copenharve and Jack the cat for being "associates").
Becky and Kristy attended Wayne State College. Becky became a second grade teacher and currently teaches second grade at Wildewood in Ralston. After Kristy finished pharmacy school, she moved to Albert Lea, MN, where she currently works in the pharmacy at the Albert Lea Hospital. Kristy met Frank Thompson, and they married on October 22, 2010. Bob's first grandson, Robert, was born December 28, 2011. Frank and Kristy's daughter, Anneka, was born January 30, 2015.
Pat finished his master's degree in architecture in 2012 and moved to Long Beach, CA. He currently works for DLR associates in Los Angeles. Katy spent two years in the Peace Corps in Rwanda. When she returned, she moved to Maine. Katy got her master's degree in Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages in 2017. She is currently the language coach at Longley Elementary School in Lewiston, ME. She married Mike Giampetruzzi on September 23, 2017. They are expecting Baby Giampetruzzi on Halloween.
Bob was a Girls' club basketball and soccer coach for over 30 years in both Minnesota and Nebraska. Bob coached all three of his daughters, his granddaughter, and several other girls' teams. He most recently helped coach the Ralston Strikers. Bob loved developing a bunch of individual girls into a cohesive team. Along the way, he helped develop and mentor several coaches. Bob would love it if current and former soccer players would wear their jerseys in his honor.
"Bob casual" attire (gym shorts, T-shirts, and sandals with socks) is entirely appropriate for this celebration of Bob's life.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Robert M. Sr. and Marjory Ferris, and loving first wife Anne (Harvey) Ferris.
He is survived by his loving wife Susan K. Ferris; children Rebecca Ferris (Omaha, NE), Kristin (Frank) Ferris-Thompson (Clarks Grove, MN.), Patrick Heermann (Long Beach, CA.) and Kathryn (Mike) Giampetruzzi (Freeport, ME.); grandchildren BreAnn Ferris-Rainey, Robert and Anneka Thompson and baby Giampetruzzi; brother Richard (Connie) Ferris; nephews Nathan (Linda) Ferris and Todd (Megan) Ferris; and niece Jessica Ferris.