Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 28 at the Old North Church of Canfield Oh. where Sergeant Robert D. Magnuson was a member. He passed away doing what he loved on Sunday after a skydiving accident in Geauga County.
Bob was born January 8, 1954 in Ozark Alabama the son of Carl and Jacquelyn (Riddle) Magnuson. A twenty-eight year member of the Canfield Police Department, he was the assistant police chief in Canfield since 2000 as well as the Commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005.
Bob received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and his Master's Degree in Police Management from Youngstown State University. He authored several training programs including: STOPS, a tactical training for police officers in stopping vehicles safely that has been adopted as a training tool in police academies nationwide as well as PROTECT, a women's self defense course. He was also a driving, firearms and defense tactics instructor both locally and at OPOTA in Columbus, Ohio's Police Officer Training Academy. Bob testified as an expert witness in numerous police use of force cases nationwide. He was also one of only twelve police officers nationwide selected to travel to Sweden to attend Volvo's police vehicle training course.
A seventh degree black belt, Bob started the Canfield Karate Center now known as the Mahoning Valley Karate Center in which he was an instructor. He was also an avid skydiver making his one-thousandth free fall in 2005 that earned him his golden wings. He was an A.F.F. skydiving instructor, teaching countless people safe skydiving.
He enjoyed scuba diving, camping and riding motorcycles but most important to him was spending time with his family. Bob was a loving father and a friend to everyone. Besides his wife, the former Sandy Rusinka whom he married June 27, 1990, Bob leaves four children: Jessi (Jon) Leidy, Alexa, Carly, and Billy Magnuson. He also leaves a brother Bill (Nancy) Magnuson and four sisters: Sherry (Bob) Diamond, Pam (Larry) Graham, Laurie (Phil) Coy and Terri (Doug) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends and family may call from 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 27 at the Old North Church of Canfield, Oh.
Article from the Tribune Chronicle dated April 29, 2006---
CANFIELD — Those who knew him said Canfield police Sgt. and Assistant Chief Bob Magnuson would have loved the weather for his funeral Friday. Brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies greeted mourners at the Old North Church on Herbert Road who heard tributes to the 52-year-old Magnuson, who died Sunday in a parachuting accident in Geagua County.
The family asked that a passage from Chapter 41 of the book of Isaiah be read in which the prophet writes of those who ‘‘soar on wings like eagles.''
‘‘He is soaring today in the presence of the Lord, and he does not need a parachute,'' Executive Pastor the Rev. Tom Fennell said of Magnuson.
Canfield police Sgt. Chuck Colucci said Magnuson asked him in a midnight telephone conversation last fall to emcee his funeral. He even picked out his pallbearers and those he wanted to speak in what would at times resemble a nightclub act. He wanted laughter, not tears, Colucci said.
The speakers talked of Magnuson's faith and love of his family, friends, police work and skydiving, and painted a portrait of a man who was serious at his work but also serious at playing hard and helping those around him.
Fennell said Magnuson was able to live his life to the fullest because of his faith in Jesus Christ and told those in attendance because of that faith that they would see Magnuson again someday.
Magnuson served as commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005, and authored a manual on traffic stops that is required reading at police academies across the country. He also was a well-known instructor in use of force, driving and firearms.
The service opened with a bagpiper leading members of the Canfield Police Department into the church. One officer bowed at the coffin and another made the sign of the cross as Magnuson's wife, Sandy, and their four children held each other and people in the pew behind them reached out to touch their shoulders.
Magnuson's brother, Bill, a police officer in Largo, Fla., regaled the congregation with hunting and fishing exploits with his sibling. And he said Magnuson, a stickler for detail, probably had something to say the instant he arrived at St. Peter's Gate: ‘‘He would say, ‘I could tell you I think we could run things a little better.'''
Lt. Mark Durkin of the Austintown Police Department said Magnuson never failed to cover an officer's ‘‘six,'' or back.
‘‘Where's Bob going to be? He's going to be all around us. All 360 degrees, all the time,'' Durkin said.
John Carr, who skydived frequently with Magnuson, said Magnuson was always challenging those around him to be better, and there was no reason not to meet those challenges just because Magnuson was dead, especially to take care of his wife and children.
‘‘As we remember his laugh and his smile and his bear hugs, remember his challenges, too,'' Carr said. ‘‘Bob's challenging us to take care of his family.''
Canfield police Detective Sgt. Andy Bodzak Magnuson said he had seen Magnuson offer money or other help to people in need of food or shelter who he had just handcuffed and arrested. Bodzak said when he asked his colleague why he would give money to someone who had struggled and swore at him, he said Magnuson answered, ‘‘‘Why not?''
Steve Rogers, a Canfield councilman who served as a police officer for 15 years, said Magnuson died doing what he loved.
‘‘It would be the only way he would want to go,'' Rogers said. ‘‘He told me that.''
After the ceremony, officers formed a cordon in the parking lot of the church.
The only sounds came from a large American flag flapping from ladder trucks from the Austintown Fire Department and the Cardinal Joint Fire District. A bird chirped in the distance just before bagpipes began playing ‘‘Amazing Grace.'' Officers snapped to attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Magnuson's body was led by a Canfield police cruiser whose front was covered in black mourning bunting.
Bob was born January 8, 1954 in Ozark Alabama the son of Carl and Jacquelyn (Riddle) Magnuson. A twenty-eight year member of the Canfield Police Department, he was the assistant police chief in Canfield since 2000 as well as the Commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005.
Bob received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and his Master's Degree in Police Management from Youngstown State University. He authored several training programs including: STOPS, a tactical training for police officers in stopping vehicles safely that has been adopted as a training tool in police academies nationwide as well as PROTECT, a women's self defense course. He was also a driving, firearms and defense tactics instructor both locally and at OPOTA in Columbus, Ohio's Police Officer Training Academy. Bob testified as an expert witness in numerous police use of force cases nationwide. He was also one of only twelve police officers nationwide selected to travel to Sweden to attend Volvo's police vehicle training course.
A seventh degree black belt, Bob started the Canfield Karate Center now known as the Mahoning Valley Karate Center in which he was an instructor. He was also an avid skydiver making his one-thousandth free fall in 2005 that earned him his golden wings. He was an A.F.F. skydiving instructor, teaching countless people safe skydiving.
He enjoyed scuba diving, camping and riding motorcycles but most important to him was spending time with his family. Bob was a loving father and a friend to everyone. Besides his wife, the former Sandy Rusinka whom he married June 27, 1990, Bob leaves four children: Jessi (Jon) Leidy, Alexa, Carly, and Billy Magnuson. He also leaves a brother Bill (Nancy) Magnuson and four sisters: Sherry (Bob) Diamond, Pam (Larry) Graham, Laurie (Phil) Coy and Terri (Doug) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends and family may call from 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 27 at the Old North Church of Canfield, Oh.
Article from the Tribune Chronicle dated April 29, 2006---
CANFIELD — Those who knew him said Canfield police Sgt. and Assistant Chief Bob Magnuson would have loved the weather for his funeral Friday. Brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies greeted mourners at the Old North Church on Herbert Road who heard tributes to the 52-year-old Magnuson, who died Sunday in a parachuting accident in Geagua County.
The family asked that a passage from Chapter 41 of the book of Isaiah be read in which the prophet writes of those who ‘‘soar on wings like eagles.''
‘‘He is soaring today in the presence of the Lord, and he does not need a parachute,'' Executive Pastor the Rev. Tom Fennell said of Magnuson.
Canfield police Sgt. Chuck Colucci said Magnuson asked him in a midnight telephone conversation last fall to emcee his funeral. He even picked out his pallbearers and those he wanted to speak in what would at times resemble a nightclub act. He wanted laughter, not tears, Colucci said.
The speakers talked of Magnuson's faith and love of his family, friends, police work and skydiving, and painted a portrait of a man who was serious at his work but also serious at playing hard and helping those around him.
Fennell said Magnuson was able to live his life to the fullest because of his faith in Jesus Christ and told those in attendance because of that faith that they would see Magnuson again someday.
Magnuson served as commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005, and authored a manual on traffic stops that is required reading at police academies across the country. He also was a well-known instructor in use of force, driving and firearms.
The service opened with a bagpiper leading members of the Canfield Police Department into the church. One officer bowed at the coffin and another made the sign of the cross as Magnuson's wife, Sandy, and their four children held each other and people in the pew behind them reached out to touch their shoulders.
Magnuson's brother, Bill, a police officer in Largo, Fla., regaled the congregation with hunting and fishing exploits with his sibling. And he said Magnuson, a stickler for detail, probably had something to say the instant he arrived at St. Peter's Gate: ‘‘He would say, ‘I could tell you I think we could run things a little better.'''
Lt. Mark Durkin of the Austintown Police Department said Magnuson never failed to cover an officer's ‘‘six,'' or back.
‘‘Where's Bob going to be? He's going to be all around us. All 360 degrees, all the time,'' Durkin said.
John Carr, who skydived frequently with Magnuson, said Magnuson was always challenging those around him to be better, and there was no reason not to meet those challenges just because Magnuson was dead, especially to take care of his wife and children.
‘‘As we remember his laugh and his smile and his bear hugs, remember his challenges, too,'' Carr said. ‘‘Bob's challenging us to take care of his family.''
Canfield police Detective Sgt. Andy Bodzak Magnuson said he had seen Magnuson offer money or other help to people in need of food or shelter who he had just handcuffed and arrested. Bodzak said when he asked his colleague why he would give money to someone who had struggled and swore at him, he said Magnuson answered, ‘‘‘Why not?''
Steve Rogers, a Canfield councilman who served as a police officer for 15 years, said Magnuson died doing what he loved.
‘‘It would be the only way he would want to go,'' Rogers said. ‘‘He told me that.''
After the ceremony, officers formed a cordon in the parking lot of the church.
The only sounds came from a large American flag flapping from ladder trucks from the Austintown Fire Department and the Cardinal Joint Fire District. A bird chirped in the distance just before bagpipes began playing ‘‘Amazing Grace.'' Officers snapped to attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Magnuson's body was led by a Canfield police cruiser whose front was covered in black mourning bunting.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 28 at the Old North Church of Canfield Oh. where Sergeant Robert D. Magnuson was a member. He passed away doing what he loved on Sunday after a skydiving accident in Geauga County.
Bob was born January 8, 1954 in Ozark Alabama the son of Carl and Jacquelyn (Riddle) Magnuson. A twenty-eight year member of the Canfield Police Department, he was the assistant police chief in Canfield since 2000 as well as the Commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005.
Bob received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and his Master's Degree in Police Management from Youngstown State University. He authored several training programs including: STOPS, a tactical training for police officers in stopping vehicles safely that has been adopted as a training tool in police academies nationwide as well as PROTECT, a women's self defense course. He was also a driving, firearms and defense tactics instructor both locally and at OPOTA in Columbus, Ohio's Police Officer Training Academy. Bob testified as an expert witness in numerous police use of force cases nationwide. He was also one of only twelve police officers nationwide selected to travel to Sweden to attend Volvo's police vehicle training course.
A seventh degree black belt, Bob started the Canfield Karate Center now known as the Mahoning Valley Karate Center in which he was an instructor. He was also an avid skydiver making his one-thousandth free fall in 2005 that earned him his golden wings. He was an A.F.F. skydiving instructor, teaching countless people safe skydiving.
He enjoyed scuba diving, camping and riding motorcycles but most important to him was spending time with his family. Bob was a loving father and a friend to everyone. Besides his wife, the former Sandy Rusinka whom he married June 27, 1990, Bob leaves four children: Jessi (Jon) Leidy, Alexa, Carly, and Billy Magnuson. He also leaves a brother Bill (Nancy) Magnuson and four sisters: Sherry (Bob) Diamond, Pam (Larry) Graham, Laurie (Phil) Coy and Terri (Doug) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends and family may call from 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 27 at the Old North Church of Canfield, Oh.
Article from the Tribune Chronicle dated April 29, 2006---
CANFIELD — Those who knew him said Canfield police Sgt. and Assistant Chief Bob Magnuson would have loved the weather for his funeral Friday. Brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies greeted mourners at the Old North Church on Herbert Road who heard tributes to the 52-year-old Magnuson, who died Sunday in a parachuting accident in Geagua County.
The family asked that a passage from Chapter 41 of the book of Isaiah be read in which the prophet writes of those who ‘‘soar on wings like eagles.''
‘‘He is soaring today in the presence of the Lord, and he does not need a parachute,'' Executive Pastor the Rev. Tom Fennell said of Magnuson.
Canfield police Sgt. Chuck Colucci said Magnuson asked him in a midnight telephone conversation last fall to emcee his funeral. He even picked out his pallbearers and those he wanted to speak in what would at times resemble a nightclub act. He wanted laughter, not tears, Colucci said.
The speakers talked of Magnuson's faith and love of his family, friends, police work and skydiving, and painted a portrait of a man who was serious at his work but also serious at playing hard and helping those around him.
Fennell said Magnuson was able to live his life to the fullest because of his faith in Jesus Christ and told those in attendance because of that faith that they would see Magnuson again someday.
Magnuson served as commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005, and authored a manual on traffic stops that is required reading at police academies across the country. He also was a well-known instructor in use of force, driving and firearms.
The service opened with a bagpiper leading members of the Canfield Police Department into the church. One officer bowed at the coffin and another made the sign of the cross as Magnuson's wife, Sandy, and their four children held each other and people in the pew behind them reached out to touch their shoulders.
Magnuson's brother, Bill, a police officer in Largo, Fla., regaled the congregation with hunting and fishing exploits with his sibling. And he said Magnuson, a stickler for detail, probably had something to say the instant he arrived at St. Peter's Gate: ‘‘He would say, ‘I could tell you I think we could run things a little better.'''
Lt. Mark Durkin of the Austintown Police Department said Magnuson never failed to cover an officer's ‘‘six,'' or back.
‘‘Where's Bob going to be? He's going to be all around us. All 360 degrees, all the time,'' Durkin said.
John Carr, who skydived frequently with Magnuson, said Magnuson was always challenging those around him to be better, and there was no reason not to meet those challenges just because Magnuson was dead, especially to take care of his wife and children.
‘‘As we remember his laugh and his smile and his bear hugs, remember his challenges, too,'' Carr said. ‘‘Bob's challenging us to take care of his family.''
Canfield police Detective Sgt. Andy Bodzak Magnuson said he had seen Magnuson offer money or other help to people in need of food or shelter who he had just handcuffed and arrested. Bodzak said when he asked his colleague why he would give money to someone who had struggled and swore at him, he said Magnuson answered, ‘‘‘Why not?''
Steve Rogers, a Canfield councilman who served as a police officer for 15 years, said Magnuson died doing what he loved.
‘‘It would be the only way he would want to go,'' Rogers said. ‘‘He told me that.''
After the ceremony, officers formed a cordon in the parking lot of the church.
The only sounds came from a large American flag flapping from ladder trucks from the Austintown Fire Department and the Cardinal Joint Fire District. A bird chirped in the distance just before bagpipes began playing ‘‘Amazing Grace.'' Officers snapped to attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Magnuson's body was led by a Canfield police cruiser whose front was covered in black mourning bunting.
Bob was born January 8, 1954 in Ozark Alabama the son of Carl and Jacquelyn (Riddle) Magnuson. A twenty-eight year member of the Canfield Police Department, he was the assistant police chief in Canfield since 2000 as well as the Commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005.
Bob received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and his Master's Degree in Police Management from Youngstown State University. He authored several training programs including: STOPS, a tactical training for police officers in stopping vehicles safely that has been adopted as a training tool in police academies nationwide as well as PROTECT, a women's self defense course. He was also a driving, firearms and defense tactics instructor both locally and at OPOTA in Columbus, Ohio's Police Officer Training Academy. Bob testified as an expert witness in numerous police use of force cases nationwide. He was also one of only twelve police officers nationwide selected to travel to Sweden to attend Volvo's police vehicle training course.
A seventh degree black belt, Bob started the Canfield Karate Center now known as the Mahoning Valley Karate Center in which he was an instructor. He was also an avid skydiver making his one-thousandth free fall in 2005 that earned him his golden wings. He was an A.F.F. skydiving instructor, teaching countless people safe skydiving.
He enjoyed scuba diving, camping and riding motorcycles but most important to him was spending time with his family. Bob was a loving father and a friend to everyone. Besides his wife, the former Sandy Rusinka whom he married June 27, 1990, Bob leaves four children: Jessi (Jon) Leidy, Alexa, Carly, and Billy Magnuson. He also leaves a brother Bill (Nancy) Magnuson and four sisters: Sherry (Bob) Diamond, Pam (Larry) Graham, Laurie (Phil) Coy and Terri (Doug) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends and family may call from 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 27 at the Old North Church of Canfield, Oh.
Article from the Tribune Chronicle dated April 29, 2006---
CANFIELD — Those who knew him said Canfield police Sgt. and Assistant Chief Bob Magnuson would have loved the weather for his funeral Friday. Brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies greeted mourners at the Old North Church on Herbert Road who heard tributes to the 52-year-old Magnuson, who died Sunday in a parachuting accident in Geagua County.
The family asked that a passage from Chapter 41 of the book of Isaiah be read in which the prophet writes of those who ‘‘soar on wings like eagles.''
‘‘He is soaring today in the presence of the Lord, and he does not need a parachute,'' Executive Pastor the Rev. Tom Fennell said of Magnuson.
Canfield police Sgt. Chuck Colucci said Magnuson asked him in a midnight telephone conversation last fall to emcee his funeral. He even picked out his pallbearers and those he wanted to speak in what would at times resemble a nightclub act. He wanted laughter, not tears, Colucci said.
The speakers talked of Magnuson's faith and love of his family, friends, police work and skydiving, and painted a portrait of a man who was serious at his work but also serious at playing hard and helping those around him.
Fennell said Magnuson was able to live his life to the fullest because of his faith in Jesus Christ and told those in attendance because of that faith that they would see Magnuson again someday.
Magnuson served as commander of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force from 2003 to 2005, and authored a manual on traffic stops that is required reading at police academies across the country. He also was a well-known instructor in use of force, driving and firearms.
The service opened with a bagpiper leading members of the Canfield Police Department into the church. One officer bowed at the coffin and another made the sign of the cross as Magnuson's wife, Sandy, and their four children held each other and people in the pew behind them reached out to touch their shoulders.
Magnuson's brother, Bill, a police officer in Largo, Fla., regaled the congregation with hunting and fishing exploits with his sibling. And he said Magnuson, a stickler for detail, probably had something to say the instant he arrived at St. Peter's Gate: ‘‘He would say, ‘I could tell you I think we could run things a little better.'''
Lt. Mark Durkin of the Austintown Police Department said Magnuson never failed to cover an officer's ‘‘six,'' or back.
‘‘Where's Bob going to be? He's going to be all around us. All 360 degrees, all the time,'' Durkin said.
John Carr, who skydived frequently with Magnuson, said Magnuson was always challenging those around him to be better, and there was no reason not to meet those challenges just because Magnuson was dead, especially to take care of his wife and children.
‘‘As we remember his laugh and his smile and his bear hugs, remember his challenges, too,'' Carr said. ‘‘Bob's challenging us to take care of his family.''
Canfield police Detective Sgt. Andy Bodzak Magnuson said he had seen Magnuson offer money or other help to people in need of food or shelter who he had just handcuffed and arrested. Bodzak said when he asked his colleague why he would give money to someone who had struggled and swore at him, he said Magnuson answered, ‘‘‘Why not?''
Steve Rogers, a Canfield councilman who served as a police officer for 15 years, said Magnuson died doing what he loved.
‘‘It would be the only way he would want to go,'' Rogers said. ‘‘He told me that.''
After the ceremony, officers formed a cordon in the parking lot of the church.
The only sounds came from a large American flag flapping from ladder trucks from the Austintown Fire Department and the Cardinal Joint Fire District. A bird chirped in the distance just before bagpipes began playing ‘‘Amazing Grace.'' Officers snapped to attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Magnuson's body was led by a Canfield police cruiser whose front was covered in black mourning bunting.
