Robert Marshall (Bob) Pratt, 58, of Duluth, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Bob was born Dec. 5, 1952, in Albert Lea, to June (Toepel) and Marshall Pratt where he was raised and graduated from Albert Lea High School. He moved to Duluth in 1971 to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth, and forever after called Duluth his home. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He also took classes towards a master’s degree in industrial safety, even teaching some courses in that program after attaining vast knowledge through his work experience with the W.P. and R.S. Mars Co.

Bob and Lisa Shefchik met at University of Minnesota, Duluth, and were married July 23, 1977, after earning their degrees in June of 1977. Bob’s career plan was to be a teacher and coach, but with the scarcity of teaching positions at that time and his determination to stay in Duluth, he accepted a position with the Mars Co. as a sales trainee. His aptitude for mechanics and knowledge of tools combined with his gregarious and confident personality enabled him to flourish as he enjoyed his 30-year career with W.P. & R.S. Mars Co. from April 1, 1980, to the day he died. A multiple Salesman of the Year recipient, he counted his customers among his friends.

Bob also put his mechanical skills to work in his personal life, building two houses in Duluth for his family, finally settling on Ridgewood Road in 1987. His greatest achievement was raising three wonderful daughters who will carry on his life lessons and strong values.

Bob was very involved in numerous community organizations, a passion he developed from his years in Scouting. He served as a mentor, teacher and coach to hundreds of Duluth’s young people. He was a proud member of Rotary Club 25 and was named a Paul Harris Fellow this April. He was a Leadership Duluth graduate, Tools Committee co-chair for Playfront Park, and on the Courage Center Duluth “Shoot for Fun” fundraising committee. He was very involved in the soccer community, serving on the Fields for Duluth and Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association boards for many years and refereed games at all levels. After coaching each of his daughters, he helped co-found the East Select Soccer organization, served as president for several years and held a founder’s advisory position on the club’s board of directors. He was instrumental in the creation of the Jean Duluth, Arlington and Spirit Mountain soccer fields, and felt great pride and joy every time he drove past the fields on Jean Duluth Road.

His great love of alpine skiing lead him to join the Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol in 1977. During his candidate year, he taught advanced first aid to other candidates who eventually became some of his best friends. He recently earned his 30-year service award and was named Spirit Mountain Outstanding Patroller for the 2007-2008 season. In recognition of his contributions to the sport of skiing, Bob was named a Head of the Lakes Alpine Celebration honoree. He was the chair lift evacuation trainer/coordinator and somehow also found time to serve part-time on the Lutsen Ski Patrol. He also served with other ski patrollers for many years as a first aid attendant at the finish line of Grandma’s Marathon.

After playing football in high school as part of the 1970 state championship team, Bob discovered rugby in college. It was a natural fit, and no one was more responsible for establishing the sport in Duluth. Bob co-founded the Duluth Rugby Club, and continued to play in alumni games long after his regular playing days were past. His pioneering efforts were recognized when he was named the inaugural member to the club’s Hall of Fame.

Bob loved the outdoors and spending time at the Pratt family cabin he refurbished on Chequamegon Bay in Washburn, Wis. Bob fished Lake Superior in his 1986 recreational boat, the Bobber, and loved being on the water or behind his boat waterskiing. He hunted, most recently with his yellow lab Nikki, and enjoyed deer hunting each November with good friends on his buddy’s property near Duluth.

He was never idle and spent hours in his garage shop crafting Kubb sets and fixing everything that broke. In recent years, he finally succumbed to the sport of golf, as he could no longer play rugby, and looked forward to Friday night golf league with friends at Lester Park.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Marshall Sidney Pratt.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Shefchik Pratt of Duluth; mother, June Pratt, of Albert Lea; mother-in-law, Dorothy C. Shefchik of Duluth; daughters: Anna (Chad) Sandquist of Minneapolis, Betsy (Adam) Maus of Crystal; Jennifer Pratt of Duluth; sister, Barbara (Marlow) Jordahl, of Cincinnati; brother, James (Carol) Pratt, of Duluth; brother- in-law, Mark (Lauri) Shefchik; brother-in-law, Rick (Barbara Lundgren) Shefchik; nieces: Julie (Doug) Greiwe, Melissa Pratt, Beth Shefchik and Claire Shefchik; nephews: Scott (Pamela) Jordahl, Jeff (Stephanie) Jordahl, Nathan Pratt, Thomas Shefchik, Daniel Shefchik and David Shefchik; his dog, Nikki.

Funeral and celebration of Bob’s life will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area, 9500 Spirit Mountain Place, Duluth. For information regarding memorials or to leave a memory of Bob and words of support for the family please refer to caringbridge.org/visit/robertpratt or www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com. Arrangements by the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home.