Roy William Tasche

Roy Tasche, age 79 a former founding partner in Minnesota Automation Services, Inc./Riverwood International (now part of Graphic Packaging) in Crosby, Minnesota, who retired in the late 1990’s, passed away after a brief illness in Haven Homes in Maple Plain, MN on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

Roy will be remembered for living the American dream, through his hard work and determination, the great time he spent fishing, hunting, and traveling, raising three sons and his devotion to his wife Pat for 58 years before her passing just five months before his death.  He started out as a young farm boy out of Biscay, MN, who joined the Army before the age of 18, learning a trade and became a heavy machinery mechanic in the armed forces in Germany.  After his return, he fell in love with Pat, and they were married in 1961, they settled down in Maple Plain, MN for many years.

When an opportunity arrived in the spring of 1979, he took it, and his family, up to Deerwood, MN to be part of something wonderful that brought a thriving business to reinvigorate the economy and good employment options back to Crosby after the Scorpion snowmobile operation left in the mid 1970’s.  With his knowledge of engineering, and his drive to inspire others to reach their highest potential, Minnesota Automation/Riverwood International grew from the original three partners with one employee in 1979, to well over 200 employees by the time he retired 20 years later.

Roy believed in giving his time and talents to the communities that he lived in by volunteering as a Maple Plain fireman for over 18 years, and after moving up to Deerwood, joining the Deerwood Legion, as well as a Deerwood City Council member.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Virgil and Kirstine Tasche and brother-in-law, Harry Halberg. Roy is survived by his three sons, Troy (Julie) Tasche of Mound, Burt (Theresa) Tasche of Brainerd and Greg (Amy) Tasche of Pecatonica, IL; five grandchildren and two great grandsons; two brothers, Rex (Shirley) Tasche of Maple Plain and Max (Rita) Tasche of Nisswa; one sister, Norma Halberg of Maple Plain and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 29, 2020 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls will full military honors.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.