Family:
Bob and his wife Jode, have four daughters; Hannah, and Triplet girls Lydia, Abby, and Birdie.
Sports:
Bob has completed 100 Marathons in his wheelchair including the following: Boston, Twin Cities, Grandma’s, Chicago, Med City, Orange Bowl, Los Angeles, Lincoln, Fox Cities, Honolulu, Blue Angel, Whitewater, Disney, Green Bay, Madison, Journey’s, Quad Cities, Denver, Jesus Run, Phoenix, New Zealand.
275 races total – pushed his chair over 10,000 miles
75 first place wins including: Twin Cities – 1986, 1987, 1988, Chicago 1986 & Grandma’s in Duluth, MN.
Awards:
2010 –Won the Major League Baseball & People Magazine ALL STARS AMONG US award.
Received national recognition at the All Star game in Anaheim, CA
2010 - Honored with a trip to Washington, DC for serving the Military at the ranch & spoke at the 119th Continental Congress. Sponsored by the Daughters of The American Revolution.
2006 – HALL OF FAME – WRESTLING – Stillwater, Oklahoma
Chosen to go to Washington, DC during the George W. Bush presidency and represent the State of MN for launching President Bush’s “Faith-Based Initiative.”
Career:
Founder and Director of Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, a 120 acre ranch in Southern Minnesota serving 16,000 people annually.
General Contractor and fundraiser of a 5 million dollar lodge named “Miracle lodge”
Founder and Director of OPERATION WELCOME HOME. Free retreats for soldiers. Now having served 1000 families.
National Motivational Speaker (It’s Not What Happens to You, It’s What You Do About It)
Took 100 wheelchairs to Ghana, W. Africa resulting in Ghana taking their first ever disabled athletes to the Paralympics.
Author of an inspirational book called the “Marathons of Life”
Founder/Director of the National Wheelchair Sports & Recreation Camp (1986), which is now the largest wheelchair sports camp in America. In 2017 we had kids/adults from 14 states and Africa.
Speaking Opportunities:
Twin Cities Marathon - Minneapolis., MN
New Hope Church – Honolulu, Hawaii
119th Continental Congress – Washington, DC. Recipient of the national award for serving military families.
‘All Stars Among Us’ National Award – sponsored by Major League Baseball - Chosen from 7,500 entrants
Washington DC representing Minnesota at George W. Bush ‘Faith Based Initiative”
Knutson Construction – Minneapolis., MN
Northwestern College – St. Paul, MN
Outdoor Sportsman Conference – Joplin, MO.
Adolphson-Peterson Construction – Minneapolis.., MN
Veit Construction – Rogers, MN
Recent speaking opportunities:
Classic Car and Truck show – Madison, WI
McNeilus Trucking and Manufacturing Co – Dodge Center, MN
Sanibel Island Men’s conference – Ft Myers, Fla
Henkel Construction – Mason City, Iowa
Elcor Construction – Rochester, MN
Residential Service Association - Kalahari – Wisconsin Dells
Mayo Clinic 150 years serving humanity - Healthy Human Wellness conference weekend
Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge
Minnesota Masonry Restoration - Minneapolis.., MN
FCA - Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Cornerstone Church – Dallas,Texas
Gold Star Military conference – Brainerd, MN
Minneapolis Convention Center – Epilepsy Foundation Conference
City of New Richmond, Wisconsin employees
Burnsville National Day of Prayer Breakfast
National Disability Conference – Mayo Clinic
Memphis Basketball Team-NCAA – Tampa, FL
Carr Tree Service - Ottertail,MN
Northridge Community Church – Scottsdale, AZ
DAV – Disabled American Veterans
Corporate Chick-Fil-A – Atlanta, GA
National Day of Prayer – Fort Belvoir, VA
Touchstone Energy - Arlington, VA
Speaking Testimonials:
“Thanks for your support and speaking at our recent meetings. Your message is great and very inspirational to our team. The Feedback we have received from your presentation was fantastic. We will have you back." - Knutson Construction
“Bob, you were the most inspirational speaker that I have ever heard at the Unity Foundation banquet in Alexandria, MN. You had to touch the lives of the couple hundred business men and women with your life and presentation.” - John Trisco
