Robert W. Prouty

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Prouty, Robert W. of Lino Lakes, born in 1929 in Corning, New York, died January 8, 2014. After his service in the 8th Radio Relay Squadron, U.S. Air Force in Europe, and his education at Syracuse University, Bob had a long and distinguished career in the field of developmental disabilities. He was a professor at The George Washington University, consultant to school districts eager to integrate special needs students into regular classrooms, manager of the Medicaid Waiver for persons with mental retardation in the state of Minnesota, and researcher at the University of Minnesota in the Institute on Community Integration. He was highly principled and well known for his integrity and confrontational approach working on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. His love of the outdoors led to the many activities he enjoyed over the years: camping, biking, sailing, golfing and cross-country skiing. Nothing made him happier than hiking the trails in the Minnesota State Parks with his wife and beloved black lab. Bob had a large personality that elicited strong reactions, and when you met him you never forgot him. He made life richer, more colorful and endlessly interesting. He is survived by wife, Jo; son, Will (Danyelle) and two grandsons; son, Chris (Sharon Linden); daughters, Lynn (Tom) Diedrich and Lisa (Mark) Gehrig and granddaughter, Zoë Gehrig. Private interment was at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Animal Humane Society, 1115 Beulah Ln., St. Paul MN 55108.

Published on January 19, 2014