Dr. Bob May was a visionary, but he was much more than that. A Canadian by birth, Bob May had a strong coaching resume before he started the Wayzata Checkers girl’s hockey program in 1974. Prior to that he had coached the Wayzata boys high school team (‘54-’55), the Roosevelt boys team (‘55-’57), and the University of North Dakota men’s team (‘57-’59). In fact he guided UND to the men’s national championship in 1959, and later was inducted to the UND Hall of Fame. In 1960 he enter dental school, and began his second career as a dentist. In 1974, while his daughter Jan was in elementary school, Wayzata started a girls’ team, and Bob became the coach. He coached the Wayzata Checkers, (later named the Minnesota Checkers) from 1974-1981. During that time the Checkers won a state bantam tournament (1978), and three national championships (1979, 1980, 1981), through AHAUS, now called USA Hockey. The Checkers also traveled to Finland and Russia in 1979, and competed in the Friendship Tournament in Helsinki, where they took first place. Years Later, Bob became the first-ever girls hockey coach for the Wayzata HS Girls Varsity Hockey Team. During the inaugural ‘94-’95 season the team had a 7-13 record. In ‘95-’96 they were 17-3-2, and Classic Lake Conference Champions with a conference record of 9-0-1. He was a close friend of Herb Brooks, and convinced Herb to have a girls session at his annual summer camp at Shattuck during the late 80’s. He wrote 3 books...”The Hockey Drill Book”, “The Hockey Road: From High School, to College, to Pro”, and “Girls Hockey in Minnesota; Where To From Here?”. What a coaching philosophy he had. Every perspective important to being successful in hockey was part of his philosophy, including this excerpt from one of his former Checkers, “Along with all the skills, personal goals, and teamwork, he wanted us to understand how the bench warmer was just as important as the star, and assists are just as important as goals.” Visionary? Dr. Bob May was so much more than that. We are so fortunate to have him lay the foundation for Girls Hockey in Minnesota. He currently lives in Plymouth with his wife Beverly. He has three daughters, Jan, Cathy, and Carol (deceased), and two wonderful grandsons, Zach, and Dylan.

May, Dr. Robert H. 6/8/1927 to 7/20/2014 Age 87, of Plymouth, MN passed away peacefully on Sunday morning. Dr. May is preceded in death by both parents, brother Alan, and daughter Carol. Bob is survived by wife Beverly of 64 years, daughters Jan and Cathy, Grandsons Zach (Amy) and Dylan, and great-grandson Jackson. Bob was a legend. He led the University of North Dakota Men's Hockey team to their first National Championship and was a dual inductee into the UND HOF. He coached the Minnesota Checker's Women's Hockey team to National and International Championships, later becoming the charter inductee into the Minnesota Girls Hockey HOF (MGHCA). Bob was a Dentist, who also served the Minnesota North Stars. He invented the custom-fit mouth guard and wrote 4 published books. Bob served as a Colonel in the Army. In addition to copious accolades, Bob was a mentor to thousands, a loving family patriarch, a story-teller, and an inspiration to everyone he met. Bob's loss will be felt around the world.