Robert H. Medaris

Robert H. Medaris age 86 of Park Rapids, MN died Friday Nov. 26, 2010 at the home of his daughter Valerie in Detroit Lakes, MN, surrounded in love by his family, and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Robert Henry Medaris was born on October 2, 1924 in Mankato, Minnesota to Henry and Amalia Kopke Medaris. He lived and attended school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the Beck School for Radio in Minneapolis in 1946 and the Coyne Electrical School. On December 20, 1946 he married Helen Emelia Pearson at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. In 1947 they moved to Devils Lake, ND where he was program director for radio station KDLR. In 1948 they moved to Muskegon, Michigan where he continued his work in broadcasting. In 1949 they moved back to Minneapolis where he co-owned and operated a Standard Oil Station. In 1952 he began working for PAKO Corporation, leaving in 1960 to complete his Mortuary of Science Degree at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1962. In 1964 they moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota where he owned and operated the Medaris Funeral Home and Hubbard County Ambulance Service. He held his license to practice Mortuary Science until his death. Robert was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, Park Rapids Rotary, Program Director of the Hubbard Co. Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also taught Medical Self-Help courses and first aid to members of the community. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Masonic Lodge. He was a life member of the Lake Harriet Lodge 277 in Minneapolis of Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Scottish Rite and a member of the Zurah Shrine. Robert is survived by one son, David J. (Nancy) Medaris, of Shepherdstown, West Virginia; one daughter, Valerie L. Medaris, of Detroit Lakes, MN; one son in law, Richard B. Fleming, of Detroit Lakes, MN; seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, one son, Robert L. Medaris, one daughter, Diane Lynn, his parents, an infant brother, and brother Mildon Lee.