George Lewis Pratt

George Lewis Pratt, 89, passed away on October 22, 2015 at Rosewood on Broadway under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. George was born on January 31, 1926 in Fargo, North Dakota the son of Robert and Anne (Margach) Pratt. He grew up on the family farm, which was homesteaded by his Grandfather George Pratt, between Grandin and Gardner, North Dakota. He attended grade school in Gardner and graduated high school in Grandin. After attending 1 year of college at the University of North Dakota he then went into the United States Marine Corps, 1st Division, serving in the Pacific Theatre and taking part in the invasion of Okinawa during World War II. George was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in action on April 2, 1945.

After the war he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at NDSU (NDAC). He then went on to earn a Master’s degree at Kansas State University and a PhD from Oklahoma State University, all in Agricultural Engineering. As an undergraduate he was a member of many organizations on campus where he served many of them as President. He proudly served as President of The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at NDSU (NDAC). Over the years those ATO’s remained faithful friends who would gather together with their spouses each summer for many years to enjoy their long time friendships.

George served on the faculty of the Agricultural Engineering Department at North Dakota State University for 36 years and was an influential figure in the field of Agricultural Engineering nationally. He helped develop a handbook that was used extensively by other universities and authored over 50 technical papers over the years. He served as Department Chairman from 1977 to 1989 at which time he retired as Professor Emeritus. During his tenure at NDSU he served on numerous campus committees and was President of many of the committees including the University Senate. He developed an engineering professionalism seminar for the College of Engineering and Architecture in 1984 and also developed seminars to assist students in techniques for successful job searches and career development. He also served as the Faculty Marshal for many years at Commencement. In 1978 he received the National Metal Buildings Manufacturers Award at the national ASAE meeting. He also served as Chairman of many of the national committees in his field.

George was a member of First Congregational Church of Fargo and was moderator in 1979. He was a member of Shiloh and Daylight Lodges and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, the DAV, former member of the Fargo Kiwanis Club and was a member of the Board of Directors at Bonanzaville for many years. George was a founding member of St. Andrew’s Scottish Society of Fargo/Moorhead. Along with his then Pastor, Rev. Dr. Nelson Stone, they helped organize the Heather and Thistle Pipes and Drum band. This Pipe Band has played at many events over the years in the area. His Scottish heritage was very important to him and he made several trips to Scotland where he enjoyed meeting many of his relatives. He also wrote and published 2 books on his genealogy from Scotland and Ireland.

On November 23, 1955 he married Patricia Jones (Patti) at First Congregational Church in Fargo. They had two children, Thomas (Kristen Borg) and Nancy (Michael Coash). The saddest time in his life was losing his beloved daughter Nancy to multiple sclerosis in 2004. However, his 4 granddaughters were the joys of his life. He was “Boppa“ to .Meeghan Coash Anderson (Eric), St Paul, MN, Elizabeth Coash Vert (Wesley), East Grand Forks, MN, Kathryn Pratt Riesen (Adam), Viking, MN and Brenna Pratt Naseer (Dr. Osama), Fargo.

Three more joys were his great-grandchildren, George Ernest Anderson, Quentin Michael Anderson and Lauren Elizabeth Riesen. He was the happiest when he was with his family whether it be in Fargo, at Pelican Lake, on Ft. Myers Beach, FL, or planting and tending to his beautiful garden and flowers.

George was a true gentleman who was humble, spiritual, thoughtful, loyal, kind and generous and kept his good sense of humor even in the toughest of times.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Coash; his brother, William R. Pratt; his nephew, Jay Douglas Pratt and his brother-in-law, Oscar R. Lindgren. He leaves his wife, Patti; his son, Tom Pratt (Kristen), Blaine, MN; his son-in-law, Michael Coash, Broomfield, CO; his sister, Jean Pratt Lindgren and his sister-in-law, Phyllis Crosby Pratt, both of Fargo, along with his four granddaughters and their families; and 4 nephews and 1 niece.

The family wishes to especially thank Hospice of the Red River Valley, the Veterans’ Administration and Rosewood on Broadway for their loving care of George these past months.

Memorials may be sent to The First Congregational Church, Hospice of the Red River Valley or others of your choice.