A 37-year-old construction worker from St. Paul died last week after falling from a hotel under construction in Edina.
Robert Alcure fell from the fourth story of the building at 4911 W. 77th St., according to the Edina Police Department. Police were called to the construction site just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, the police report states.
A five-story-story, 153-room hotel is being built on the site, according to the Better Together Edina website. Alcure, a member of Carpenters Local 322, was working for RTL Construction, based in Shakopee. The union was providing on-site grief counselors “to all of our employees who are struggling with the loss of their brother,” RTL Vice President Shawn Larson said in a statement provided to KSTP.
“What happened last Tuesday was a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Larson said. “Our team is a close group, and, unfortunately, last week we lost a part of our family. It’s been an extremely difficult week for all of us.”
“I know there are lots of questions,” Larson said. “We’re still looking for answers ourselves. I can share that our employee fell, 911 was called immediately and he later passed away at the hospital. We are cooperating fully with proper authorities and have nothing more to share regarding the specifics at this time. Our work is often done in what can be dangerous environments. Our team members are all well trained by their respective unions, as well as our company to work around these dangers. Last week those dangers became much too real for all of us.
“We would like to thank all of those who have reached out offering support and condolences. Our focus today is on the well-being of Robert’s family, and all of those who knew and loved him. We’re all praying hard for Robert’s family and we will miss him greatly.”
Switched careers
Alcure grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived there until high school, when he moved with his mother, Pat Riceputo, to Arizona, according to his obituary. He met his ex-wife, Tara, in Arizona, and the couple moved to Minnesota, her home state, after the birth of their son, Arlo, the obit states.
He and his partner, Kaitlin Hughes, met in 2018 and she “joined the co-parenting team as Arlo’s ‘bonus mom,’” according to the obituary.
Alcure worked in sales for 15 years before switching careers in 2021 to become a carpenter. He loved his job, watching sunrises with his co-workers, early-morning coffee runs and building with his hands, the obit states.
“If you knew Robert at all, you know he was an incredibly thoughtful and kind partner, father, and friend who always wanted to make sure everyone he was with was comfortable,” the obit states. “Not a day went by where his loved ones weren’t reminded of that. Robert always wanted everyone he loved to be well fed, feel taken care of, seen, heard, and able to be themselves. He was a hilarious goofball with the most gentle, calming energy, who truly knew how to be his most genuine self and be present in every moment, which allowed others to do the same. His incredibly witty humor, his dimpled smile, and his laugh brought so much joy on the daily.”
After work each day, Alcure took an afternoon nap with his cat Rambo. “He finished his days cooking dinner for his family, and, many times, for his friends, too,” according to his obituary. “Each day was filled with productivity, love and time to care for himself and the people he loved.”
Alcure’s hobbies included “woodworking in the garage, playing video games, illustrating, gardening, seeing live music and cheering on Arlo at his baseball and hockey games,” the obit states.
A celebration of Alcure’s life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Anderson Funeral Home in St. Paul.
