Robert Douglas Patnaude

Robert “Bob” Patnaude passed in peace at his home on January 29, 2025, at the age of 77.

Bob was born September 7, 1947, in International Falls, MN – the icebox of the US. A true kid from the wrong side of the tracks, he was beyond proud to be from the Carson Lupie neighborhood and a Bronco through and through. In his younger days, Bob earned the Minnesota Hockey State High School Championship three times and was inducted into the Bronco High School Hall of Fame on two occasions. In 2009, the 1966 International Falls High School hockey team received a great honor from the Minnesota Wild Organization as they were voted “Greatest team in state tournament history” with a winning record of 26-0 that year. This coming June, Bob was slotted to receive yet another induction to the Rainey River Junior College Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1970 team. Notably, he was a self-proclaimed expert identifier of the “Minnesota skate.” After junior college, Bob went on to graduate from Stout University, a leader in scoring and in penalty minutes. His love of the puck (aka never passing the puck) has never stopped. Not only was Bob a legendary player, he also enjoyed many years as a coach and reffing games, involved with everyone from youth to high school to Badgerstate Games to old-timers league. He had the honor of officiating 12 Wisconsin State High School hockey tournaments in Madison. Some of his fondest memories are being part of Mystery Menomonie Games at the Slupe Rink. Bob enjoyed building hockey stick chairs with his forever hockey friends, Todd, Wayne, and Peter. Being able to attend the Minnesota State Tournaments was also a big highlight.

When not at the rink or cheering on his favorite teams, Bob thoroughly enjoyed a good fishing adventure (especially on Rainy Lake) and a good round of golf, never keeping score. It’s said he may have the largest collection of fishing lures known to man. He talked of the good times at Grandma’s cabin in Canada making great memories with his cousins. In addition to hockey and fishing, Bob was a proud 27 year retired Army Reserves Veteran, an E7 Sergent First Class serving honorably during the Gulf War. Bob also led a dedicated career of 21 years at 3M until his well-earned retirement. Bob’s influence continued when teaching youth the art of safe driving as a driver’s education instructor. In his retirement, Bob couldn’t help but continue to keep kids safe as a crossing guard for the Town of Rib Mountain.

Loved ones will tell you that Bob was funny, kind, gentle, and could make friends with anyone…and did. He earned several nicknames throughout the years: Bobby, BJ, Bobby John, all through his gift of connecting with others.

Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sue, his beloved children Andy and Polly, his treasured granddaughter, Lucy, his aunt Annette, and cousins Rick, Georgie, Donna, Deb, and Lorna. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, George and Patricia, as well as his brothers, Mike and Greg Patnaude, and his ice-cream-eating-hockey-game-watching dog, Mickey.

Bob will be remembered on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce Street, Wausau, WI 54401. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 12:00 pm. A livestream of the Prayer Service can be viewed at www.helke.com/obituaries/robert-patnaude. Burial will follow with full military honors at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 235962 N Troy Street, Wausau, WI 54403 

In lieu of flowers, a gift to Youth Hockey will be dedicated in Bob’s memory.