Robert "Bob" Richter

Robert “Bob” Richter, 76, of Granite Falls, Minnesota passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at his home. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Rock Haven Church in Granite Falls. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church.

Robert James Richter was born on September 11, 1948, the son of William “Butch” and Doris (Heglund) Richter in Granite Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. Bob attended school in Granite Falls and was part of the very first kindergarten class. He went on to graduate high school in 1966. He furthered his education by obtaining a few degrees at the Area Vocational Technical Institute in Granite Falls, one in accounting.

After high school and a brief stint in the reserves and at St. Cloud State, Bob began working in the family business at the Granite Falls Redi-Mix. He met his wife, Margot Widman, when she came to town to teach and the couple were married on August 5, 1972. They made their home in Granite Falls and were blessed with three children, Heather, Nicholas, and Kingsley.

Bob loved animals and began hauling livestock, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Being a Richter boy typically meant you were involved in baseball and bowling. Baseball wasn’t really his sport, but he was an avid league bowler for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Granite Falls Fire Department. He served on the Cenex Board and also the Simmental Cattle Association.

Bob was his own man. He was easygoing with a flare for telling jokes, which were sometimes clean and always accompanied by a sly grin followed by his unmistakable laugh. The highlight of his year was running the gate at the Western Fest Rodeo. When his knees couldn’t keep up any longer, he ran the smaller gate for the mutton busters in which he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren ride the sheep. Bob loved watching sports of all kinds. He loved his simple life in the country with his family, horses, and his wide variety of animals.

Bob is survived by his wife, Margot; children, Heather Richter-Kling, Nick (Abbey) Richter, King Richter all of Granite Falls; grandchildren, Elliott Kling, Elayna Kling, Kaitlin Wohlman, Gage Richter, Nash Richter, Gus Richter, Boden Richter; siblings, Bill (Linda) Richter of Brookings, SD, Dan (Linda) Richter of Granite Falls, John (Sherry) Richter of Granite Falls, Gail (Al) Carstensen of Hastings, Jean (Mike) Henle of Eden Prairie, Mary (Doug) Sawatzky of Willmar, Tom (Kristi) Richter of Brookings, SD, Jim (Mary Ellen) Richter of St. Cloud; brothers and sisters-in-law, Val (John) Kjellberg, Scott (Linda) Widman, Jeff Widman, Chris (Elise) Widman; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and of course all his beloved animals in his barn.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Butch and Dory Richter; father and mother-in-law, Sev and Aileen Widman; son-in-law, Matthew Kling; brother-in-law Bruce Haug; brother-in-law, Jay Widman; sister-in-law, Robin Widman; nephew, David Carstensen; and all the animals that went before him.