Robert Albert Hanauer, 86, of Albany, MN, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 22, 2021.
Robert, who went by “Bob,” was born in Albany on June 9, 1934, to Rosella (Sperl) Hanauer and Albert Hanauer. He attended Holy Family Elementary School and graduated from Albany High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea. Upon discharge, he returned to Albany and married Lois Meyer of St. Anthony on July 28, 1962. Together, they had 3 children; Nancy, Robert “Fezzy” and Lori. He worked as a mechanic in his family’s Pontiac-GMC dealership until 1988. The business continued on as Bob Hanauer Garage until his retirement in 1994.
Bob was a talented “maker of things.” He restored old cars, trucks and boats. He carved dozens of fish decoys and invented his own version of a tied fly that he used for ice fishing. He could fix just about anything and had a couple workshops, one in his “shed” in the backyard and another in a tiny space in the house. In his workshops, everything had a place and everything was in its place.
Bob was also a lover of “toys,” especially motorcycles. Nothing gave him more freedom and joy than to get out for a few days on his Gold Wing. He made an annual trip to Sturgis for Bike Week for more than 30 years.
Bob served on the Albany City Council for 23 years. He was also elected mayor on a write-in ballot in 1991, a short-lived stint as he preferred to be a behind-the-scenes contributor, participating in both the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Authority Board.
To those who didn’t know him, Bob probably came off as a gruff guy, but to those knew him, they knew that was just a hard shell. On the inside, he was a softie. He was once heard referring to himself as a “tree-hugger and bunny-lover.” Yes, you read that right.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lois of Albany; his 3 children: Nancy Hanauer (Mitch Culbreath) of Minneapolis, Fezzy (Patty) Hanauer of Albany, Lori (Ken) Wambach of Albany; four grandchildren: Mercedes (Trevore) Klein, Ben Hanauer, Mackenzie Wambach, Madison Wambach; two great-grandchildren, Alice and Gabriel and his sister Patricia Bordewich of Cottage Grove.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosella and Albert Hanauer and his infant brother, Albert.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany on March 27, 2021 at 11 a.m. Visitations will be held at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home on Friday, March 26, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at Seven Dolors Catholic Church on March 27, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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