Robert "Bob" R. Maes

Robert "Bob" Maes, age 92, of Mankato passed away Friday, June 14, 2024.

Born July 22, 1931, in Mankato, Bob was the son of Florence and Emil Maes. He attended graduated from Loyola High School. Following high school, he worked at Neubert Millwork Co. before enlisting in the United States Air Force on January 9, 1951. 

Bob was Honorably Discharged on September 13, 1954, and returned to Mankato where he helped his dad run the family business, Mettler's Bar. On December 28, 1955, Bob married his beloved sweetheart, Sylvia Wolf.

While working at the bar, Bob attended the Mankato Teachers College and earned his teaching degree. Bob left Mettlers and started his teaching career in Hibbing, Minnesota where he taught elementary school for three years before returning to Mankato where he taught fifth grade at Franklin and Washington Schools for over twenty-five years. His coaching career evolved shortly after he returned to Mankato, when he coached curling at the Mankato High School and then at Mankato East. The last year that curling was a High School sport, under the guidance and direction of Bob, Mankato East won the state tournament. Aside from coaching curling, Bob was an avid curler himself winning club leagues in the 60's, 70' and 80's, bonspiels throughout the area, and the MN Mixed Championship in 1972.

Bob was an avid fastpitch softball player in his earlier years and his experience from pitching and coaching the successful Mettlers fastpitch team in the 50' and 60's led him to his most enjoyable and rewarding coaching experience, Head Coach of the Mankato East Girls softball program. His teams had many successful seasons under his leadership; winning four state titles in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991. Bob was named Big 9 Coach of the Year from 1986-1988, Region Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1991, and MN Class A Coach of the Year in 1991. Bob was inducted into the Mankato Softball Hall of Fame in 1986, MN Softball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Mankato East Hall of Fame in 2003. 

Outside of coaching Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, meeting for breakfast and happy hour with his buddies, and spending time with his family, especially his dog, Brandy.

Left to remember Bob are his children: Richard (Shelly) of Marshall and Patti of Mankato; grandchildren: Christian (Jodee) Maes, Shelby Maes, Cassidy Hilton, Coby Hilton, and Garrett Maes; Special Friend Marlene Ganske; and numerous relatives and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia, his brother, Rene "Fritz" Maes, and daughter-n-law, Betty Maes (Schutte).

Funeral Mass will be 11:00am Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato with burial at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm Monday, June 24th at Mankato Mortuary and 10:00am Tuesday at church. www.mankatomortuary.com.