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Robert A. Fricke, 99, a resident of Hurontown and the Bluffs Senior Living Community in Houghton passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the UP Health Systems Portage Hospital, in Hancock.
He was born on March 18, 1922, in Hurontown, MI, a son of the late August E. and Ethel M. (Martin) Fricke. Bob was raised in Hurontown, and was a graduate of Houghton High School with the class of 1939. He then attended Michigan Technological University before enlisting in the United States Army Air Force from 1946 to 1948. He then returned to Michigan Technological University, to receive his degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
On January 6, 1951, he was united in marriage to the former Dorothea Tetzlaff. The couple moved to different parts of the country during Robert’s working career such as the Local Radar Base in Keweenaw County, Zeeland, MI as City Engineer, Milwaukee, WI and Los Angeles for eight years, while he worked for Rex Chainbelt, then in Cleveland, OH, while he worked for Master Builder and later Union Carbide, in Ashtabula OH. He returned to make his home in Hurontown, when he accepted a faculty position at Michigan Technological University, retiring in 1987.
Locally, Mr. Fricke was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Houghton. Robert’s life of helping and giving began at an early age when he became an Eagle Scout and continued throughout his life. Locally he was active on many boards and committees with Portage Township, was a former Secretary for Rangers Post #6165 VFW of South Range, the Hancock Lions Club, where he helped begin the handicap ramp project and the Copper Country Kiwanis Club, as well as a former Boy Scout Leader. Mr. Fricke was a 33rd Degree Mason and an active member of Copper Country Lodge #135 F&AM. He was very proud to have received the Masonic Lou B. Winsor Award in 2001, from the Grand Lodge of Michigan.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister Olive Raduchel.
Surviving are:
His wife: Dorothea Fricke of the Bluffs Senior Living Community
His children: James Fricke of Hancock
Elva Brodnick of Cleveland, OH
Mary Bronson of Mayfield Heights, OH
His grandson: Lewis Bronson
His Nephew: William Raduchel
Funeral Services for Robert will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Grace United Methodist Church of Houghton with Rev. Eric Falker to officiate.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 4 to 7 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock where a masonic service will be held at 5:30 pm and on Thursday, January 27, from 10 am until time of services at Grace United Methodist Church of Houghton.
Graveside services will be held 11:00 am Friday June 10, 2022, in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.. Military Honors will be conducted by the Copper County Veteran’s Association.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family suggests that memorials be given to the Oak House in Hancock in memorial of Robert Fricke.
To view Robert’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.
