Holmgren, Robert Frederick 89, of Deephaven, MN passed away peacefully on 3/31/19. Survived by his wife Janet; children Eric, Thor (Denise), Sam (Catherine), Addie Oblack (Greg); grandchildren Emilie, Jack, Charlie, Julia, Sara, Bennett, Hanna. Preceded in death by his parents and brother, "Sox". As a youngster, Bob was an avid sailor, racing scows on Lake Minnetonka. He graduated from Blake School and Amherst College before enrolling in Navy OCS. In 1954, Bob served as Gunnery Officer on the minesweeper USS Strive. Later, as Shipmaster of the sailing fleet at USNA, Bob represented the U.S. in regattas as far away as Argentina. Upon discharge, he attended Harvard Business School and worked for Kendall Co. in Boston. He met Janet while skiing in New England. They married in 1959. Bob left Kendall to start Reed's Inc. on Wayzata Blvd. and introduced fiberglass keelboats to the area. He acquired lakeshore and formed the charter for the Wayzata Yacht Club. In 1965, he and Janet set sail in a Rhodes 19 to explore the Apostle Islands for the first time. His entrepreneurial spirit led Bob to develop Port Superior Village Marina and Port Mountain ski area in Bayfield. In 1967, he and friends established Amnicon Bay Association on Madeline Island and built summer homes that were cherished for 3 generations. He excelled at entertaining, was a generous host, and, for 48 years, belonged to The Society of Amateur Chefs. He had unfettered optimism, a knack for listening, and beamed with curiosity, making him easy for friends and family to love. In 2017, he and Janet moved to Lake Minnetonka Shores Presbyterian Homes in Spring Park. At Bob's request, the family will hold a private memorial. Please raise a glass in his honor. We know he would be appreciative. If you wish to send a memorial, please consider: Lake Minnetonka Shores Benevolent Fund, 4515 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN 55384. Attn: Jody

Published on April 7, 2019