Robert Joseph Praus

Robert Joseph Praus April 4, 1939 - December 9, 2023 Robert "Bob" Joseph Praus, 84, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Saturday December 9, 2023 in Hopkins, MN. Bob was born in Minneapolis on April 4,1939, and was raised in "rural" Richfield, MN. Bob was preceded in death by his dear parents, Bud and Millie Praus, as well as his wonderful brother Bill (Ann Marie), (mechanical genius) Praus. Bob was a 1958 graduate of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from St John's University in 1962. He was proud to have played football at St John's for John Gagliardi, the winningest coach in college football. While at St John's, Bob met his beloved wife of 60 years Sally Ann (Hackenmueller). After graduating from St John's, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army for three years in Fort Polk, LA (or "Fort Puke" as Bob affectionately called it). After honorably serving his country, Bob left the Army, and worked for Kraft Foods for 31 years. Bob climbed the corporate ladder with Kraft moving 7 times in 31 years across 5 states. Throughout his career Bob was the "ultimate manager or Big Cheese" who was known for his humility, leadership, collaboration and commitment to community. In search of warmer winters, Bob retired in 1996 and moved from Wadsworth, IL to Red Wing, MN. Bob enjoyed bicycling and, over the years, logged thousands of miles on his bike. He enjoyed riding and training on his own, as well as biking with family and friends. He completed several week long organized bike trips across the state of MN. It was on one of those trips that he discovered Red Wing and thought it would be an ideal place to retire. It turned out he was right, as he and Sally enjoyed living in Red Wing for 27 years. Bob loved to travel and had an adventurous spirit. He and Sally traveled the world and as he used to say, "he never found a gelato he didn't like." He was an avid golfer, playing well over 100 rounds each summer at the Red Wing Golf Course. He loved competition, especially when he won some skins, and he called it a good round if he "got his money back". To play with Bob, you didn't necessarily have to be good but you did have to play quickly. He started and organized the Senior Ryder Cup tournament at the club each year. He also put in countless hours dedicated to the craft of finding lost golf balls! He would head out to the course each evening after dinner. He left no bush uncovered, no hill untouched and no rock unturned in his search, frequently coming home with battle wounds to prove it. He particularly liked to go out after tournaments, as that produced the best "yield". If anyone is looking for a lost ball in Red Wing, it is likely one of thousands of golf balls currently stored in Bob's garage. Bob and Sally spent their winters in Siesta Key, FL where Bob loved to golf regularly with new and lifelong friends, as well as walk the beach at an incredibly brisk pace. It was a good walk if Bob passed more people than passed him, and there were frequent accelerations to make that happen. He volunteered his time in many ways. After living away from MN for so many years, he loved to help organize, manage and attend reunions, whether it was St Peter's grade school, DeLaSalle, or St John's. He served on the board of the Red Wing Country Club for many years including as President for several of those years. He volunteered at the Red Wing Area Food Shelf and served as the President, and resident lawn mower, of his homeowners association for over 25 years. His quick wit, funny ways, and winter hats will forever be missed by the people that loved him most. Bob is survived by his dear wife Sally (Hackenmueller) Praus, beloved brother (and favorite fishing partner) Jim (Colleen) Praus, dedicated father to Susan Praus, Stephen (Tonya) Praus, and Barbara (Bill) Razzino; as well as devoted grandfather (and best waffle maker) to Nicholas (Mariah) Praus, Joseph and Zachary Praus, and Sara and Will Razzino. Services will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Washburn-McReavy Funeral home in Edina. (5000 W 50th St Edina, MN) We wil be gathering to greet family and friends from 10 AM - 11 AM, with the service at 11 AM, and lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/) in memory of Bob. Minnesota chapter: 12701 Whitewater Drive, Suite 290, Minnetonka, MN 55343 or 1-800-272-3900. To Livesteam the Robert's service go to our website, put his name in the search bar, once you are on his website, click on Tribute wall, once there click on the arrow.

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Robert Joseph Praus

April 4, 1939 - December 9, 2023

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