Rob Tong

Rob Tong, 50, of Miller, S.D., passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.

Robert Dean Tong was born to Diana (Huisman) and Bob Tong on Dec. 1, 1963.

He attended Mondamin School through the eighth grade and graduated from Miller High School in 1982. He worked for John McEnelly at the Purina Feed Store right out of high school. His love was always how things worked and he wanted to farm. He made that desire into a reality. He took a lot of pride in the farm, and his handiwork is evident.

When the "south hand" community banded together to make a place for a fire truck donated from the Miller Fire Department, the South Hand Fire Department was born. Rob became the local fire chief and devoted his time to the cause. Rob enjoyed having coffee with the neighbors, playing cards and watching Nascar races. He always had time to help out a neighbor, to talk about the crops or to discuss machinery. Rob loved animals, watching wildlife and hunting deer.

On Jan. 16, 2014, Rob was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer at Avera St Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D. He endured a whirlwind of procedures by his medical team in Aberdeen, who tried everything humanly possible. On Friday, Jan. 31, he received word that they could not do anymore. Rob came back to Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital to be close to his friends and family.

Rob is survived by his mother and father, Diana and Bob Tong of Miller and formerly of Sinking Spring; his brother, Jeff Tong (Jane Keller) of Miller; three aunts, Gloria Myers of Ipswich and family, Susie Hammond and family of West Portsmouth and Malita Swank and family of Hillsboro; and uncle, Bernie (Ginger) Huisman and family of Miller.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Mary Tong; uncle, Steve Tong; his maternal grandparents, Dean and Elaine Huisman; and uncle, Dave Myers.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller, S.D. with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. A prayer service will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to your local fire department and ambulance service.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Rob’s arrangements.

For more information, visit www.familyfuneralhome.net.