Early on, Bob developed a love of racing and on June 28, 2022, he took his last lap in the great race of life, finishing in just under 68 years at Edenbrook of Rochester Nursing Home.

Robert James Ball was born in Rochester on September 11, 1954 to Robert Blaine Ball and Mary Kathryn (Butler) Ball. He graduated from John Marshall High school before attending the Machining and Tool and Die class at South East Technical in Rochester, MN. He worked as an Industrial Machinist at several places in the area before relocating to Chicago. He oftentimes traveled to factories around the country to repair equipment.

An avid fan of Formula One, Indy Car, and especially Go Karts, he competed in national Go Kart races through the IKF and was Midwest Champion three times. He took third at Nationals. He had a brilliant mind and could modify any engine to get the best performance from it. His love of racing was rivaled only by his love of God.  Bob was a devout Catholic and his faith saw him through many trials in life. He suffered many physical challenges that kept him from living his life the way he wanted, yet he was able to maintain his sense of humor and love of family and friends. Bob also loved hockey and Classic Rock music. His favorite band was Led Zeppelin and he attended many of their concerts as well as those of other iconic bands of the era. Bob was a very generous person and would help anyone who needed it. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. We are grateful that his spirit is finally free of all suffering.

Bob is preceded in death by his father Robert Ball, mother Mary Butler Ball Conrad, step-father Lyle Conrad, and brother John Conrad.

Bob is survived by sisters Linda Ball (Jerr Boschee), Michelle Ball, Theresa (Ed) Nielson, Susan (Mike) Pitzer, Karen Barnes, and brother David (Jennifer) Conrad. He is also survived by loved others who loved him: four nieces and nephews and various extended family including six great-nieces and nephews.

Bob's family would like to thank Don and Rosella Kvernen for their support and visits with Bob over the many years; Janie & Bill Hill and their staff at Wellington Adult Foster Care; all those working at Edenbrook, OMC (Adedayo) and Olmsted Co. (Nancy), who cared for Bob in so many different ways, each and every day, continuing to do so during the challenges of a pandemic.  Lastly, thank you to the Church of St. Francis Outreach Program and Rev. James Berning for supporting Bob's spiritual needs.

The Memorial Service for Bob will be held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 11:00AM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Bob's body was donated for research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude's Children's Hospitals.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com