Utendorfer, Robert A. age 53, of Edina, made his way to heaven on June 19, 2024, following a courageous 10-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Preceded in death by his father William Utendorfer. Survived by loving family: mother Judy Utendorfer; wife of 26 years Julie, children Haley, Will, and Tyler; sister Tiffany (James) Foley and their children; Julie's mother Patricia Anderson, brothers-in-law Chris (Elizabeth) Anderson, Dan Anderson (Diana), Jon Anderson (Shelly) and their children. Growing up in Edina, Robert played hockey and soccer, an enthusiastic and adventurous kid at heart. At age 15, his family purchased a cabin in Aitkin, MN, which instilled his love for motorsports and the outdoors. His passion for jet ski racing took him on tour across the globe, blossoming into his involvement in supercross, mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling. If a motor was involved, he was probably excited about it. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in graphic design, Robert took his love of action sports and applied it to working at a creative agency in Minneapolis. Within the walls of the office and beyond, Robert made connections, cementing lifelong friendships along the way. In 1996, he started his own company: Utendorfer Graphic Design Service, and taught himself photography, adding another tool to his arsenal of storytelling abilities. He took challenges in stride, approaching each with his trademark smile and easy demeanor, prepared to lend his signature design and passion to each project he worked on. Robert spent his happiest moments at our cabin on Dam Lake. He was always eager to teach friends how to ride a sled, show off on the jet ski, annihilate you in a round of Big Buck Hunter, or just crack open a Newcastle at the bonfire. In the winter, he'd be tearing across the frozen lake on a snowmobile, or in the summer in the hayfields nearby, chasing Will on a dirt bike or shooting clays with Tyler. When not at the lake, you would likely find him on a ski hill somewhere, camera in hand, capturing his kids racing or making the trek out west with Haley in his beloved Suburban. Or perhaps deep in the backcountry on a snowy peak, shooting snowmobile photos with the work friends he considered family. As a storyteller and a people person, he loved asking questions to better understand the individual in front of him. With a wicked memory and quick wit to match, Robert always had a unique tidbit of information to slide into a conversation. This gracious, kind, and talented man will be deeply missed by many, particularly by those he considered not only friends but also family. Robert had hoped to write this obituary himself to properly thank everyone he cherished. On his behalf, thank you. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis. Visitation at 10:00 AM followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM and luncheon. In place of flowers, memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are preferred.

Published on June 27, 2024