Bob Cikanek, of Prior Lake, passed away June 24, 2017 at the age of 74. Visitation is Friday, June 30, 2017 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at St. Michael Catholic Church (16311 Duluth Avenue SE) in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. Michael Catholic Church. Fathers Tom Walker and Jack Davis will preside. There will be a private family interment at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Prior Lake. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Bob’s family in his honor.
On September 10, 1942, Rudolph and Grace Cikanek celebrated the birth of their only son, Robert William Cikanek. Although Bob was an only child, he never felt like it. He grew up in Chicago and loved having so many cousins nearby. During his school years, Bob played the trumpet and baritone horn in band and was on the swimming and football teams.
After graduating from Leo High School, Bob attended St. Norbert’s Catholic College in Green Bay where he studied Spanish and History. He then got his teaching license and taught high school for a short time. He also acted as head football coach. During that time, he met the love of his life. He noticed her from across the room and thought he better save her from the less eligible bachelors who were trying to woo her. Bob rescued her, and the rest is history.
On November 23, 1966, Bob and Sue exchanged wedding vows. They were blessed with two children, Chris and Jim. As newlyweds, Bob and Sue lived at Marquette while Bob pursued his MBA. He had a job in Residential Life and was a mentor to many of the undergraduate students he supervised in the dorms.
After earning his MBA, Bob had several jobs, and his family lived in a number of cities. They eventually settled in Prior Lake where Bob was an insurance agent for American Family Insurance. He worked there for many years until retiring in 2009.
When their kids were young, Bob and Sue enjoyed taking family trips. They went to Disney World, Hawaii and Mazatlán. They also made frequent trips to Oshkosh to visit Sue’s family. When their kids were older, Bob and Sue continued to travel on their own. Some of their favorite trips were to Ireland, Italy, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
Bob also took many service trips to Peru. He was on the inaugural trip that started the relationship between St. Michael’s and their sister parish. Over the years, Bob made 13 trips to Chimbote, Peru. He was especially proud of the work he did to provide wheelchairs and clean water to the people of Chimbote.
When Bob wasn’t working or serving others, he was out on the links. Bob LOVED to golf. He played in the same Tuesday night golf leagues for 35 years, and made many wonderful friends along the way. He also enjoyed watching football and cheering on his favorite teams. Bob was instrumental in revitalizing the PLAY program for football in Prior Lake. Everyone knew him as “Booster Bob”.
Bob had many hobbies and interests, but family was the most important thing to him. He loved his wife deeply, was a wonderful dad and the best grandpa. Bob was passionate about his beliefs and set a wonderful example for his family.
Although Bob’s health had been failing the last few years, he was always a good patient and never complained. Bob chose to see the positives in life. Jack the Cat was his faithful sidekick and by his side through much of his illness.
Bob will be deeply missed and remembered always by his loving wife of 50 years, Sue; children, Chris (Todd) Kemper and Jim (Janelle) Cikanek; grandchildren, Anthony Kemper, Samantha (Tyler Goetz) Kemper, Haley (Emmanuel Patrick) Kemper, Gwyn Cikanek and Will Cikanek; other loving relatives and many dear friends. Bob was greeted in Heaven by his parents.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the Cikanek family. www.BallardSunderFuneral.com
