Bob Prater passed away peacefully in his home on August 31, 2022 with his loving wife by his side.
Bob was born on February 24, 1937 on a farm in Missouri to Leonard and Ida Prater. When Bob was six, the farm house burned, and the family moved into the town of Meta.
Bob proudly served in the United States Navy for over 20 years in electronic intelligence. Bob's service took him to Germany, to the Philippines, and to both Sakata and Tokyo in Japan. During his tours he was blessed with the birth of his oldest, Robert Michael Prater, and a daughter, Laura Prater Maliwat, who died in 2012. Bob was especially proud of his role as cryptologic technician on the USS Oxford AG159 in the Cuban blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Bob's unit also took part in the Navy's Communication Moon Relay telecommunication project. Bob received two Joint Service Commendation Medals one in 1973 and the other in 1969. Bob retired as Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician in 1975.
After the Navy, Bob attended University of Central Missouri, where he earned his Bachelor's in Biology, a Master's in Industrial Hygiene, and a second Master's in Occupational Safety.
It was there in Warrensburg that he met the love of his life, Monte Herlong. At their wedding in 1979, Bob became a stepfather to Deanne and Heidi, a role that Bob accepted with open arms. Bob and Monte successfully blended their 4 teenagers into a close family.
Family was of utmost importance to Bob and this showed in everything he did. As his parents aged, Bob and Monte would make many a trip to Meta, Missouri to take care of his parents. When Monte's parents aged, Bob and Monte moved them to Tulsa for them to be close. Bob would drive over to the nursing home to pick up Monte's Dad, JC Lupo, every weekend to enjoy time at the house. Family continued to be important to Bob and Monte, and they had frequent family gatherings.
Bob's post-Navy career included work as industrial hygienist and safety engineer in Missouri and Oklahoma. He advised and consulted on employee safety issues until his retirement in 1998.
Bob's retirement kept him busy. He was proud to serve as an election inspector for the Tulsa County Election Board for over 10 years. As a lover of nature, Bob also enjoyed serving as a trail guide at Keystone Ancient Forest. Bob had a fantastic sense of humor and a positive attitude.
Bob's hobbies included spending time with family on his pontoon boat, pursuing his lifetime love of photography, and tending to purple martins and other winged creatures. His yard and garden were his pride and joy, every year providing roses and tomatoes. Bob enjoyed holidays decorating Easter eggs and making ginger snap cookies at Christmas. A man of faith, Bob was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, and the family is comforted in the knowledge that Bob will be welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven.
He is survived by his wife Monte; his children Robert Prater, Deanne Herlong Nunn, Heidi Herlong Huff; and their spouses--Barbara Wetherill Prater, Tom Nunn, Tom Huff; and his grandchildren-- Erin Prater Blount, Marianne Wetherill Hartwell; Derek, Andrea and Grant Nunn; John Huff; Danielle Merino, Bailee Maliwat, and Max Maliwat; and his great-grandchildren--Addie and Olivia Blount, Emmaline Hartwell, and Momo and Hinata Huff. Other survivors include families of his grandchildren Jeff Blount, Micah Hartwell, Stacy Szabla, and Kumiko Huff. Bob is also survived by his brother Darwin Prater, his wife Joan, and countless extended family.
Visitation with Bob's family will be at Moore's Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel at 2570 S. Harvard Ave. in Tulsa on Sunday, September 11 from 5-7 pm. Services will be at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel in Tulsa at 2 pm on Monday, September 12, 2022. The family would appreciate friends posting comments to the Moore's Funeral Home online guestbook. Bob requested organ donation as well as participation in the Tulsa World's on-line tribute service. Bob also asked that donations be made to any charity that occupies an important place in the hearts of those who remember Bob.