Robert Michael Pracht, 63, of Big Piney, Wyoming passed away from natural causes the evening of Thursday March 16, 2017 at his home. He was born in Ocala, Florida to Henry Pracht and Betty Louise Mantegari.

Mike grew up in Florida and led an adventurous childhood. He could often be found fishing, canoeing, camping and riding horses or just out finding anything to do besides school or chores. When he was 7 he kept begging his older 14 year old sister daily to help him ride their very large draft horse. Like a normal teenage sister, she hardly had time to help the little brother with so many other important things to do. One day she got up to see him riding the horse and exclaimed "how did you get up on that huge thing?".  He replied, "I just grabbed ahold of his tail and climbed up his legs!" and that's how Mike (as most know him) lived his life. He could not be deterred and would figure out a way come hell or high water to do whatever he needed or wanted to do. At 15 he decided he wanted to live his life his way and left home. That choice started his career on the high seas. His nickname "Captain Pinecone" came from his adventure during Hurricane Hugo. He was at sea on his commercial fishing boat and his radio became inoperable. He had no idea of the dangerous storm approaching and got caught in the middle of the storm. By chance he wound up in the eye of the hurricane. He captained his boat to shore in the eye of that storm. Once he reached the coast the tide and flooding was so high he docked his boat in the top of a pine tree!!

Mike served a short time in the military where he received his High School Diploma after basic training.

After his time at sea as a fishing boat captain, Mike spent time driving semi-truck over the road and other miscellaneous jobs. He eventually wound up in Salt Lake City (death valley as he called it) where he got injured in an accident where he was struck by a motorist while crossing a street on a bicycle in a crosswalk. He recovered and found his way to Big Piney WY in 2009. This is where he was happiest in his life even through tough times. He had many good friends and enjoyed the work and mountains. He did carpenter work and wound up meeting owners of a local ranch where he worked as a cowboy and all around hand. In 2015 he was working on a roof of an outbuilding and slipped and fell off shattering his lower right leg. He managed to get himself into his truck and drove over 40 miles to the local clinic. He was then moved to a home in Salt Lake City for rehab and recovery where he spent several months. Mike returned to the rancch happy to be back to the place he called home. During his time in Salt Lake, he found God and often said that he never knew what he had been missing in his life until he got right with the Lord.

Capn' Mike was a very good friend to those who he knew. He would do anything he could to help out anyone that needed it even if he didn't know them. His finances weren't always good but he would give you his last $10.00 if he felt it would help you out. While in Wyoming he had many adventures with friends that most people would be jealous to have.

Mike was never married. He is preceded in death by His Grandmother Amedia R. Loper, his Father, Henry Pracht, his Mother, Betty L. Mantegari, and his Sister, Tanya T. Mantegari. Mike is survived by his older Sister, Teena M. Mantegari-Jakobsson 71, her husband, Bjorne Jakobsson 64, Nephew, David L. Mayhew 50 and Niece, Betteena Maria Mills 48. Great Nieces and Nephews,  Christeena Maria Bryant 27, Paul Bryant 24 ,Chris Bryant23, Michael David Bryant 20, and Darius Jackson 10 and 2 Great Great Nieces Tristeena Maria Bryant 1.5  and Sophia Bryant 4.

Private services will be held for close friends.

Many thanks to the friends who helped with all arrangements.

One hellluva friend

"Arrrrrrr….."