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Robert Erkkila, 74, a resident of Calumet passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
He was born on June 26, 1944, in Calumet to Reino and Ruth (Cane) Erkkila.
He attended Calumet High School and graduated with the class of 1962. On July 25, 1964 he was united in marriage to Virginia Anderson of Calumet. They moved to Zion, Illinois where Bob worked at Outboard Marine Corporation, before returning to the Copper Country to attend Suomi College and Northern Michigan University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
After graduating from NMU, Bob worked at the Allouez Township School in Mohawk and CLK Schools as a History teacher. In 1982 he retired from teaching and worked at Erkkila’s Auto Parts and Garage for the remainder of his career. After retirement Bob served as a member of the CLK School Board for 12 years.
Bob was actively involved with local sports throughout his lifetime. Over the past 50 years he served in various capacities with Lake Superior High School Hockey, the Copper Country Chiefs, the CLK Hockey Association and Michigan Amateur Hockey. He was currently President of the UP Sports Hall of Fame, and on the board of the Calumet High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was an archivist, statistician, and local sports historian. Often times during the sports season you could hear him on the radio doing color broadcasting for the games.
Bob loved watching his children and grandchildren playing sports, spending time with his family and visiting with many friends. He was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Reino and Ruth Erkkila.
He is survived by:
His wife of 54 years: Virginia of Calumet
His Children: Dave (Mary) Erkkila of Brighton
Dan (Barb) Erkkila of Durango, Colorado
Carrie (Dan) Huuki of Atlantic Mine
Sue (Steve) Kangas of Laurium
Mark (Amy) Erkkila of Calumet
Kurt (Renee) Erkkila of Laurium
Ruth (Greg) Storm of Laurium
Gina (Jeff) Erickson of Laurium
Kristen (Andy) Bourdeau of Laurium
Jodi (Jason) Skoog of Calumet
42 grandchildren
6 great grandchildren
Sister: Ruth (Gary) Albig of Princeton, Minnesota
Uncle: Harry (Caroline) Erkkila of Calumet
Aunt: Winnie Jarvinen of California
And numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral service will be held at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 11:00 am with David Taivalkoski to officiate. Friends may call at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
