Robert “Bob” Prchal, age 67 of Excelsior, formerly of Prior Lake, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016. A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 10AM-12noon followed by a 12 noon prayer service all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant St. SE, Prior Lake. A luncheon will follow at Archangels Hall at St. Michael Catholic Church, Prior Lake. Deacon Dick Roy will preside.
On November 10, 1948 Stanley and Lucille (Heberle) Prchal celebrated the birth of their first son, Robert James Prchal. The family grew in size with the birth of three more boys—Chubby, Fred, and Ralph. Lucille and Stanley had their hands more than full raising the four rambunctious boys. Stanley once took the boys on a water fowl hunt. He instructed the boys to take their boat to one side of the lake and he would go to the other. When they were ready to hunt, he told them to give him a sign. The boys used the duck call to play the Star Spangled Banner. The ducks quickly flew off much to their amusement. Their father was not nearly as happy.
The boys could often be found helping at their family owned Phillips 66 Gas Station & Bait Shop in Montgomery. Yet even there they caused mischief by shooting BB guns at the crows. Bob spent much of his childhood exploring the great outdoors, helping his grandmother in the garden, and attending “Czech Tech” or, as most people know it, Holy Redeemer Catholic School. Following his high school graduation in 1966, Bob attended Mankato State.
When Bob was 19 years old, his father died due to medical complications resulting from an automobile accident which exasperated the exposure to Agent Orange during WWII. Bob took on his father’s role as the man of the house. The death of Stanley taught Bob to have a strong work ethic and be a role model for others. Even in his retirement, Bob couldn’t stand not working. For the majority of his career, Bob sold hardware and software to medical laboratories. During his time with Community Health Computing (CHC), Bob had the opportunity to mentor many younger salesmen. Eventually Bob would mentor his own son, calling him weekly to discuss business and offer advice.
During Bob’s sophomore year at college, he met a freshman girl by the name of Jeri Lou Strukel. Jeri Lou approached Bob at a house party when she noticed he was sitting alone. She thought he looked particularly lonely so she walked up, kissed him on the cheek then left the party. A few days later Bob tracked her down and the rest is history. During their winter break, the young couple exchanged wedding vows December 27, 1969 at Assumption Catholic Church in Richfield.
Bob and Lou began their family with the birth of their first and only child, Scott. The family lived in numerous places such as Lakeville, Wilmar, and Lansing, MI before settling in Prior Lake. They lived on the lake where they enjoyed the lake’s activities, mainly boating and fishing. Fishing was one of Bob’s major enjoyments in life. Bob still continues to hold Prior Lake’s record for largest combined largemouth bass catch along with his good friend Bob Wacker. He also served as president of the Lake Minnetonka Bass Club.
Bob was also an avid hunter. In his younger days, he would hunt pheasant and water fowl, but more than anything he preferred deer hunting. During his 47 years of marriage to Lou, Bob never once missed a year of deer hunting. Bob always appreciated the seclusion and silence of the sport of deer hunting. Over the years, he also hunted elk, mule deer, and bear. Bob and Lou enjoyed traveling together. They wintered in Florida and took cruises to Alaska, with other vacations to Hawaii, and Cancun.
Bob’s life changed dramatically with the birth of his granddaughter, Grace. Having grown up surrounding by boys, Bob was clueless when it came to Grace. Eventually, with the help of Lou, his softer side began to show. Grace would spend weekends with Lou and Bob, or as she calls them, her Oma and Bumba. Bob would take her fishing, played games with her, and attend her school functions.
Bob was an attentive man who cared greatly about his family and friends, his pastimes, and his work. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Lou Prchal; son, Scott (Tina) Prchal; granddaughter, Grace Prchal; brothers, Chubby (Linda) Prchal and Ralph (Ann) Prchal; sister-in-law, Barb Prchal; and many other loving friends and relatives. Bob is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Fred Prchal.
