Robert Owens Obituary Owens, Robert H. of Wayzata, died peacefully at home with family members at his side on March 6, 2006, at the age of 78. Preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Anne Owens. Survived by his beloved wife, Carol; brother, Jack (Idrys); aunt, Emmie Spangenberg; six children, Tom (Stephanie Prem), Mary Neal (David), John (Pat Strong), Nancy Fraser (Paul), Jim (Barb) and Catherine Duncan (Scott), all of the Twin Cities; 13 grandchildren, Caroline and Charley Owens, Sara, Emily, and Laura Neal, Jessica, Abra and Joe Owens, Will and Catherine Fraser, Max Owens, and Owen and Adria Duncan and many nieces & nephews. Born in Belgrade, MN, Bob grew up and graduated from high school in Menahga, MN, where he was valedictorian of his senior class, captain of the basketball team and an Eagle Scout. After graduation, Bob enlisted in the Navy and was training in San Francisco for the expected invasion of Japan when the war ended. Bob then enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta, and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering . Between classes, part-time jobs and hijinks with fraternity pals, Bob met the love of his life -- Carol Jean Lyon, a student nurse at Fairview Hospital. They were married on March 18, 1950. Bob served in the Army from 1951 to 1953, primarily at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. A lifelong entrepreneur, Bob founded numerous companies including Owens Companies, a heating and air conditioning contracting firm, in 1957. He grew his business into one of the leading mechanical contracting firms in the Upper Midwest. Bob retired in 2004, leaving the business in the able hands of his sons John and Jim. Other ventures included Snowcrest Ski Area and Nortrek Sports. Owens Companies was recognized as National Contractor of the Year in 1996 by Contracting Business Magazine. Bob was named Bloomington Small Business Person of the Year in 1991. He was a founding member of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America. Bob also believed strongly in being a good corporate and individual citizen as demonstrated by Owens Companies being a continual 23-year member of the Minnesota Keystone Program, contributing at least 5% of pretax profits to charitable organizations. Bob was a resident of Wayzata and an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 40 years. He was an active outdoorsman, enjoying skiing, hunting, golfing, boating and fishing. He and Carol particularly enjoyed outings with family and friends on Lake Minnetonka on their boat, the Caroliner. Bob was a devoted family man who greatly enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Funeral service Friday 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2060 6th Avenue North, Long Lake. Visitation Thursday 6-8 PM AT THE CHURCH and 1 hour before the funeral on Friday. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis. Memorials preferred to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research, advocacy, education and survivorship (PO Box 161150, Austin, TX 78716; www.laf.org), or Trinity Lutheran Church.