A resolutions supporting Minnesota House File 3797, authored by Rep. Jeff Brand, (DFL-St. Peter) first came befor Brown County Commissioners Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Dave Borchert to support the bill. Berg said he got to know Beussman when he was very involved the Highway 14 Partnership.

The bill calls for adoption and erection of suitable signs was referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.

Commissioner Borchert called HF 3797 “extremely fitting” and said joined the Highway 14 Partnership when everything was completed on TH 14 from Owatonna to Nicollet and the highway to New Ulm was the final stretch to finish.

Robert Beussman

“I remember Mayor Beussman saying we need to get this done. We can get this done. We just need the paperwork and a collaborative,” said Borchert. “He had a lot of leadership. He was very passionate about the safety concerns.”

The resolution read that Brown County is grateful for the leadership and vision (the late) Mayor Robert Beussman had regarding his involvement in TH 14 going to four lanes from Nicollet to New Ulm.

“Mayor Beussman served an integral part in the creation of the TH Partnership, which involved government bodies and agencies all the way to Rochester to speak as one strong voice to the State in efforts to see improvements be made,” the resolution read.

“Brown County will forever have both safety and economic benefit due to the time, efforts and passion of Mayor Robert Buessman,” it added.

Beussman’s wife Cheryl said she and Bob knew three people who died on Highway 14.

“Bob told me he wanted to finish the Highway 14 project on his watch. Let’s hope it’s saving lives and adding commerce,” she added.

“He (Beussman) took something that wasn’t even on the chart of getting fixed,” said Commissioner Scott Windschitl.”It wasn’t even on the 20-year schedule at one point. Within a couple years, there were vehicles on it. I can’t even tell you in government how much time and effort this (four-lane highway segment completion) took. He was the driving force behind it.”

“I worked with Bob (Beussman) on the Highway 14 Partnership. There was a lot of leadership in it. It was a pretty big collaborative. Very well organized,” said Commissioner Borchert.

“Bob Beussman was a very passionate leader for Highway 14 improvements including making it a four-lane highway for safety concerns and economic vitality. He was instrumental in putting the Highway 14 Partnership together with many government agencies from here to Rochester,” said Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen.

City Council also approved an identical resolution during their meeting Tuesday.

“I don’t know that there’s any one individual that has had more enthusiasm in promoting New Ulm,” said current New ULm Mayor Kathleen Backer. “Not only within New Ulm, but to all of his colleagues all over Minnesota and beyond.”

Backer said this enthusiasm was present in the Highway 14 project, and she thanked him for all he did.

“While I was not in the room with him, I have heard very positive comments about his leadership,” Backer said. “About him not resting until it was done and did everything he possibly could to lobby and promote that project. We’re very thankful for Robert Beussman and what he did for Highway 14 as well as the community.”

Beussman died March 6, 2023, eight months before the completion of the New Ulm to Nicollet segment of Highway 14. The project was the last piece of expanding TH 14 to four lanes from New Ulm to Rochester.