January 5, 1934 – October 9, 2022

Robert Gerald “Jerry” Babcock went to be with his Savior Oct. 9, 2022, at the age of 88.

Jerry was born in Saratoga, Minn., the first of four siblings. He spent a happy childhood on a farm in Pickwick, Minn. When he was 17, Jerry joined the Navy as an airman and aviation mechanic and was stationed in the Pacific during testing of nuclear bombs in the Bikini Atoll. He served from 1951 to 1954. Upon release, he returned to Minnesota and rekindled his romance with Janet Swedberg. They married in 1955 and had five children. Jerry attended Pillsbury Baptist Bible College, followed by Grace Theological Seminary and worked as a part-time minister. Eventually, he was hired by the USDA as a food inspector, first in Minnesota, and later in Marshall, Mo., at what is now Conagra, retiring in 2004. He met his second wife of 19 years, Carolyn Riley, at Conagra. Jerry was always curious and had a number of interests. He researched and wrote books about the Aztec treasure, and Civil War treasure among other topics, even going so far as organizing expeditions to look for those treasures. Jerry loved people and was always willing to lend a helping hand, or have coffee and a chat. 

Jerry is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his sister, Marion; daughters, Kristen Babcock and Kimberley Kinsey (Bob); sons, Nathan (Nate), David (Linda), and Mark; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

He lived a full life and will be dearly missed. There will be no services at this time.