Obituary of Robert (Bob) Cahlander

Bob grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Minneapolis Vocational High School. He was a veteran of the Armed Forces in the Air Force. And studied at Macquarie and Grant MacEwan Universities, along with the University of Minnesota Morris.

He was an imaginative, creative inventor and entrepreneur who had a passion for automation. In 1981, he was hired to assist in the development of the Robotics, Automated Systems Technology degree program at Staples Technical College (now Central Lakes College) and he was the Robotics instructor. He worked with the Staples Technical College Assistant Director, David Carroll who managed instructional staff and helped Bob develop the one of the nation’s leading robotic technician programs.

Bob and David Carroll later co-founded RAM Center, Inc., which focused on the robotic manufacturing, engineering and automation systems. Bob and Dave were good friends and business partners; they agreed to toss a coin to determine who would be president and Bob served as president from 1986-1993. He later pursued other business ventures including: Nature’s Masterpieces – Fossils into Furniture, Segway – all the way, and Loving Residence – assisted living, but he was most proud of his automation work.

He is survived by his son, Kyle Cahlander, stepson Dan Cahlander, sisters Callie Spilane and Kris Shepherd Kennedy (Brian), brother Bill Cahlander (Kathy) and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister Colleen (Punky) Goodin and his parents.

As Bob requested, no funeral or memorial service will be held. The family will gather to celebrate his life at a later date.