May 21, 1945 – March 6, 2023

NEW ULM — New Ulm city officials and a musicians fondly recalled their memories of former New Ulm Mayor, musician and school teacher Robert “Bob” Beussman after learning of his death Monday at age 77.

“I’m devastated. He’s a man who loved this city as a mayor and contributed a lot,” said New Ulm City Councilor Les Schultz. “He was devoted to the city and made people laugh. I can’t say enough good things. He was very interested and involved. I really enjoyed working with him as a city councilor. He always had a joke or I had one for him. I’m going to miss him. I really will.”

Schultz said Beussman set up the program of not charging motorists for their first downtown parking ticket.

Journal file photos In addition to presiding at council and commission meetings, former Mayor Robert Beussman enjoyed the lighter side of his duties, including being kidnapped by the Narren every year for Fasching and tapping the fest keg for Oktoberfest (shown here in 2017).

Former New Ulm Mayor Terry Sveine had lots to say about Bob, who served as New Ulm’s mayor for 11 years. He was elected in 2010, and resigned due to health reasons in April 2021. Sveine was appointed to replace him.

“I first knew Bob as a Concord Singer. He put a lot of effort in it. Bob and Cheryl spent many years working with Miss New Ulm and Miss New Ulm Princesses,” said Sveine. “They’d gather at their home and Bob and Cheryl would drive them to parades no matter where they were.

They also made sure Miss New Ulm royalty had plenty of water and plenty to eat.”

Sveine said Beussman really worked hard on the U.S. Highway 14 four-lane expansion project between New Ulm and Nicollet that is now under construction.

“It’s sad he won’t see the finished project,” Sveine said. “When I was mayor, Bob told me I owe people respect by listening to them and trying to find answers to their questions. He said it may not be the answer they want, but it’s about finding an answer.”

City of New Ulm Executive Assistant Lisa Pelzel had lots to say too.

“Bob was a joy to work with as mayor. He enjoyed working with everybody and really loved the community. He sat and listened to most all commission and board meetings,” said Pelzel. “He came in the office pretty much every day, checking mail, email and voicemail. He was really active in the Highway 14 Improvement Project. He treated us very well as mayor. He was an absolute gem to work with.”

City of New Ulm Administrative Assistant Lisa Grathwohl said Bob dedicated many, many hours to his job as mayor and did a great job.

“We lost a great mayor and a great friend,” she added.

New Ulm musican and environmental consultant Scott Sparlin had lots to say about Bob.

“What a great talent. A great trumpet player, Bob really connected with the crowd. What a great guy on top of it,” said Sparlin. “He was so professional. Always on time. He always practiced his parts to perfection. He could perceive a crowd and feed off it, whipping up the crowd. He’s irreplaceable. Many songs were uniquely his. He’s lived a good life. Bless his heart in every way.”

Sparlin said Bob was very helpful as a musician and as a mayor to Sparlin’s environmental consulting business.

After more than a decade as mayor, Beussman was named New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce Tourism Person of the Year.

Bob was honored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota cities (CGMC) with the Jack Murray Award for excellence in service to Greater Minnesota. Beussman regularly attended CGMC conferences, “Day at the Capitol” lobby days and other events.

He was cited for being instrumental in advocating for the creation of the Corridors of Commerce, a highway funding program established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2013.

Bob served as president of the Highway 14 Partnership and played a key role in that organization’s efforts to obtain state funding to expand the highway from two to four lanes from New Ulm to Rochester.

“Mayor Beussman was a fearless advocate for his city and other cities across Greater Minnesota,” said Little Falls Mayor and CGMC President Greg Zylka. “Never one to stay silent, he worked hard to bring attention to his region’s transportation needs by writing columns, participating in radio and TV interviews, and meeting with legislators. Southern Minnesota highways and road are safer today thanks to his relentless advocacy.”