Veteran of Korean War, Eye Witness to Atom Bomb Tests Dies at Age 84

This week marked the passing of Robert B. Opseth, a Burnsville man whose colorful life took him from an atomic test site in Nevada to the storied halls of the Interlachen Country Club in Edina. 

Opseth was born on March 22, 1929. He was a longtime resident of Burnsville, Bloomington and south Minneapolis. As a young man he was drafted into the Korean Conflict. He served with the 216th Chemical Corp in Denver, which took him to the barren wastes of the Nevada desert. According to his loved ones, he was at "ground zero" for atom bomb tests conducted as a part of Operation Tumbler Snapper.

Once discharged, he enjoyed a long career with the Minneapolis Board of Education, then spent another 10 years at Interlachen Country Club.

Opseth died at the age of 84 on May 9, 2013, after a long, hard battle with Alzheimer’s.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna; son, Bruce (Annette) Opseth; grandson, Blake; stepson, David Jones.

A funeral service for Opseth will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, at White Funeral Home in Burnsville (12804 Nicollet Avenue South). Visitation is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 on Monday, May 13, 2013 and one hour prior to service. Interment will take place Fort Snelling National Cemetery.