Robert David Orazem

Dr. Robert David Orazem, 97, of Aitkin, MN passed away at home on Saturday, November 16th, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 24th, 1928 to Peter and Mable (Caya) Orazem in Aurora, MN on Da Range, you may have known him as Bob, Buck, Doc, or Buckeroo (or perhaps sometimes Big Buck, sometimes Small Buck, but most of the time, sadly, No Buck).

Bob graduated from Aurora High School in 1946. During his youth, he was an avid Boy Scout, eventually earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He worked for two years before attending Eveleth Junior College and then the University of Minnesota Duluth. From there, he moved to Chicago to attend the Northern Illinois College of Optometry, graduating in 1953. In Chicago, he met the love of his life, Edie Ioder, on a blind date. He married this Illinois farm girl on June 4th, 1955 before they moved to Aitkin where Bob had started his solo optometric practice. The happy couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June of 2025.

Bob and Edie welcomed three children and raised them in the house Bob built, laying 23 tons of stone. He loved to build and also built a cabin on Round Lake where family memories continue to be made to this day. Bob was a lifelong learner with a wide array of interests, taking pottery classes, learning ballroom dancing and honing speaking skills at Toastmasters. In 1986, Bob sold his successful practice to his partner and friend, Dr. Doug Landsverk, and went into the framing business, buying into Ross Otto's Northern Images Art Gallery as a partner. Later in life, he dealt with Parkinson's for a number of years and struggled with his hearing, but even so, he remained active well into his 90's.

Through all his years in Aitkin, he was involved in many ways in the community. He was a Boy Scout leader and a hospice volunteer. He was a Lions member, served on the school board and was a Jaycee. Summer days often found him chasing a ball at the Cuyuna Rolling Hills country club. He loved to golf and even achieved a hole-in-one not just once, but twice! Bob was a pilot and member of the Aitkin Flying Club. He and Edie were long-time members of the Aitkin United Methodist Church. Bob enjoyed walking, and a common sight in town was his familiar figure walking to and from the office for work and lunch. He always thought Aitkin was a great place to live and to raise and educate a family.

Bob loved to fish, mostly for crappies, in Lard Lake. Hunting was also a passion for Bob. He hunted elk, moose, duck and caribou, but he especially enjoyed hunting whitetail deer. His favorite place of all was the hunting camp he built north of Aitkin. It became known as the Hole-y Land after Edie called it that because it was sacred to Bob. Here he created a legacy of hunters and family memories with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was very proud of his connections with his son, Jim, and sons-in-law, Clayton and Jon. Above all else, Bob loved his family; it was the most important thing in his life.

He is survived by his son, Jim (Carol Hoge) Orazem, his daughter, Jan (Jon) Hegman and his daughter, Susie (Clayton) Weitnauer. He has 8 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, many cousins and many, many great friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Edie, brothers James and Peter, sister Geraldine, 24 aunts and uncles, many cousins and many friends. He lived his life according to his favorite words of wisdom:

"You win some; you lose some. But you suit up for every game." He will be deeply missed.

Funeral service will be 11am - Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the United Methodist Church in Aitkin. Visitation will be 5pm to 7pm Friday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and will continue 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

*Please join the family to honor Bob's memory by wearing Camo or Blaze Orange to the funeral service and visitation. To leave a message of condolence go to www.srtfuneral.com