A former president of the Eden Prairie (A.M.) Rotary Club, Dick Pryse, passed away on Aug. 21 at the age of 73.
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Dick was a rare visitor to club meetings in recent years, but his dry wit and sense of humor were legendary. A good friend and former member of the club, Bud Baker, spoke at Dick’s funeral Aug. 25 at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina.

Here’s what was written about Dick in the funeral program:

“Dick Pryse was born October 25, 1934, to Glen and Margie Pryse in Madison, WI. He spent many summers as a kid in Waupaca, WI, at his grandparent’s dairy farm, one of his favorite places to be. Dick attended high school at Madison East and played basketball and football. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating at the age of 20 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

“He served his country in the Army as a Lieutenant and was stationed in Germany. After returning home and leaving the service, he worked at an accounting firm in Chicago. While doing an audit for Arthur Young in 1958, he met Ruth Elliott. They were married on January 31, 1959, and moved to Glen Ellyn, IL, where they lived for twenty years.

“Dick and Ruth raised four children together: Sandy, Eric, Evan, and Becca. In 1979, they moved to Edina and have lived in the same home for almost thirty years.

“Dick worked for several companies as the managing controller prior to hanging his own shingle as a certified public accountant. He enjoyed his work, loved a good challenge, and was never afraid to take on the IRS. He was also involved in his community as an active member of the Eden Prairie Rotary, serving as an election judge, and volunteering with organizations like Meals on Wheels and A Better Chance.

“Dick loved to travel and has spent the last few years going across the United States and Europe with his wife. He’d rather drive than fly, and often took what he called the ‘scenic route.’ When he wasn’t working, traveling or volunteering, he could often be found watching or listening to a baseball or basketball game and studying the ballplayers’ stats.

“He was proud of his family heritage and spent countless hours researching the family’s genealogy. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Brian, Chris, Andy, Ben, Heather and Jenny. Dick will be missed by his family, many friends, and all others whose lives he has touched.”

(Rotary Rooter focuses on the activities of the Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club, which meets at 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Biaggi's restaurant at Eden Prairie Shopping Center. Guests are welcome. You can learn more about the club by visiting www.epamrotary.org [2].)