In his professional life serving as an EMT or in his personal life baking cookies with his grandkids, Robert "Bob" Mielke truly lived a life of extending and enhancing those around him. Bob, 89, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2019 at the Regional Health Hospice House in Rapid City, SD. He was surrounded by his family and chose to depart from this world on the final word of the Lord's prayer. In his professional life, Bob was critical in pioneering the rural ambulance services in Minnesota. Before him, the local funeral home and some fire department rescue squads transported victims to hospitals. With nothing more than a little basic first aid, those first "ambulance drivers" were simply "load 'n go". From 1968 – 1991, he was hired by the city of Windom to serve as the first Director of Ambulance Service where he initially trained 10 volunteers to render emergency aid. These men were trained in more than basic first aid, they used equipment and techniques to treat patients on scene and continue care while transporting. Along with his wife, Donna Mielke, Bob was instrumental in getting the EMT classes started at Jackson Community College where they were also course instructors. Almost all of the SWMN EMTs were trained by them for the small rural communities to start their own ambulance services. In 1991, Bob was honored as the State EMT of the Year and was a finalist for the National Robert E. Motley EMT of the Year. His legacy continues through his wife and soulmate of 36 years, Donna Mielke, and their six children, Bill (Jolaine) Mielke, Dennis (Sandy) Mielke, Tom (Vicki) Mielke, Cheryl (Tom) Wilson, Mark Freudenberg, and Craig (Melissa) Freudenberg as well as their 16 grandchildren, 15 (and counting) great grandchildren and all of the family they have adopted throughout their travels. Though he is no longer with us here in his physical body, we will always remember his guidance to thank those who are kind to us, on how to bargain for a better deal, to communicate our grievances with each other and to always make time to give your loved ones a heart-to-heart, bear hug.