Rev. Dr. Robert A. Holst

Robert A. Holst of St. Paul, age 89, passed away on May 12, 2026.

Bob was born in Austin, Minnesota on October 1, 1936 to Art and Lucinda Holst. He attended Concordia High School and Junior College in St. Paul, and went on to graduate from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

He married Lynne Grabowski on August 13, 1960 in Brownsdale, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children.

During his career he served for five years in the missionary fields of Papua New Guinea. He went on to teach at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Christ College in Irvine, California. He finished his career by serving as president of Concordia University - St. Paul from 1991 to 2011.

Bob loved traveling. He traveled all over the world leading many trips and sharing his enthusiasm for travel and adventure with many people. He also loved going to the Boundary Waters with his family and playing cards at family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lynne; their children, Mark (Terry), Tom (Susan), and Ruth; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings, Helen, Donald (Lois) & John (Janice).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lucinda Holst.

Funeral service 11:00 am Saturday, May 16 at Graebner Memorial Chapel - Concordia University, St. Paul, 1259 Carroll Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104. Visitation 10:00 - 11:00 am Saturday. The service will be livestreamed (Meeting ID: 818 3226 1405).

Interment 12:00 pm Monday, May 18 at Greenwood Cemetery, Brownsdale, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Robert & Lynne Holst Endowment at CSP or Expanding the Kingdom Capital Campaign at King of Kings Lutheran Church (Roseville).

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