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Robert (Bob) Pratt
Never heard anyone say an unkind word about the late Robert (Bob) Pratt. His favorite words were, “What can I do to help?”
In life, Bob helped more people than can be counted. In death, several families have gathered to keep Bob’s memory and legacy alive by establishing the Bob Pratt Skills, Trades & Technology Scholarship Fund.
Who was Bob Pratt?
Tall, easy-going and a smile that could light up any room, Bob Pratt was a people person who simply cared about everyone, no matter their situation in life.
Growing up in Grand Marais, Bob’s father, Dr. Harry Pratt, a dentist, passed away when Bob was 11. His mother, Mary, was an elementary school teacher and an artist. After his father passed away, Mary moved Bob and his younger brother to North St. Paul for two years before returning to Grand Marais. Growing up with humble beginnings, Bob pulled herring nets, cut timber, hauled logs, did whatever he could to put food on the table.
Bob graduated high school in 1956 and attended UMD for two weeks before coming home because he didn’t like school. Done with college, he was determined to become a truck driver. In the spring, he married his high school sweetheart Bev, and he began working for Ed Thoreson. The couple had their first child, a daughter Renee, and Bob was working hard in the construction field. However, the fellows he worked with recognized Bob was brilliant, and they encouraged him to return to college. He followed his workmate’s advice and never looked back, attending UMD, where he received his elementary teaching degree.
Bob taught for four years in Hermantown and then received a fellowship at Arizona State University, where he earned a master’s degree in elementary counseling. From there, it was on to Tacoma, Washington, to work and then accept another fellowship, this time to the University of Connecticut, where he earned his Ph.D. in elementary counseling. Next, Bob taught at California State University for six years, returning to Grand Marais to attend to his mother, who had a stroke. Then he accepted a teaching position at Minnesota Moorhead State University for 15 years before retiring to Grand Maris with his wife, Bev. Throughout the years, the couple added two more children, Mike, and Tim, to the family.
During his retirement, Bob served on the board at Cook County Higher Education, served on the Cook County Historical Society board, and used the book he authored, “The Academic Warrior,” published in 2011, to help students prepare for college or higher education.
No matter what activities Bob was engaged in, he was constantly mentoring people. If someone had trouble learning a subject, he would help remove the barriers slowing them down. He was relentlessly positive, and his belief in people was sometimes more robust than the belief they had in themselves.
The scholarship
This scholarship is only open to Cook County residents and is aimed at folks who want to gain a new skill or certification to help them get a job or advance in a career.
“These scholarships are for any skill or training that takes less than two years to achieve,” said Douglas Bruce, who is one of the founders of the scholarship.
Because the scholarships are not tied to an academic schedule, applications will be reviewed every two months.
Some examples of training these funds could be applied to are truck driver licenses, forklift certification, real estate, training to become a barber, etc.
“We would love to see ten to twelve applications come in, ” said Bruce.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Elliot Pratt, Professor Emeritus, passed away on January 24, 2020. However, his memory and many good deeds live on. And his favorite saying, “What can I do to help?” Well, if it becomes your motto, you will help someone overcome a problem or send a charitable donation to Bob’s Scholarship Fund, Cook County Higher education, P.O. Box 57, Grand Marias, Minnesota, 55604. Or you can contact Cook County Higher Education Director Karen Blackburn at director@CCHE.org at (218) 387-3411.
Bob may be gone, his megawatt smile and warm words missed by everyone who knew him, but his spirit and legacy live on through the Bob Pratt Trade & Technology Scholarship Fund. Help if you can.
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