Obituary: Robert John “Chicky” Hannon

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

Robert John “Chicky” Hannon, a resident of Houghton, Mi, passed away unexpectedly at his home on November 18, 2022, at the age of 84. 

He was born to Harold Hannon and Ruth Shannon on September 9, 1938, in Hancock, MI. Chicky grew up on the west end of Houghton and spent many days skating at outdoor rinks with his friends. He graduated from Houghton High School in 1958.
 
Upon graduation, he joined the service and left on his 19th birthday to serve our country in the United States Army. Stationed in Germany, he served for two years as a medic and was promoted to Specialist.
 
After serving, he came back to the area and married Bonnie Brassard (Datto). Together they raised five children before parting ways in 1986.
 
Upon returning to the area he worked moving furniture for Biff’s Transfer. Later, he started a job with the City of Houghton. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position at Michigan Technological University and was proud to have delivered the first electric typewriter on MTU’s campus. He then moved to the Biological Sciences Department and worked in the ME Building as a Laboratory Technician. He was lucky enough to go out on MTU’s research boat collecting samples for the department. Chicky also had worked various jobs to help support his family such as being the caretaker for two of James Ruppe’s Houghton properties.  His children have countless memories of summers at Ruppe’s Lot, “their private beach”. He was a volunteer firefighter with the City of Houghton for many years. He so enjoyed participating in the volunteer fireman’s tournaments all across the U.P, along with the annual fireman’s picnic at Sunshine Beach and helping to flood the community ice rink at the old Houghton High School. He also enjoyed and was very proud to dress up as a clown in all the area parades for many years. 
 
In April of 1986, a brain aneurysm forced him into early retirement at the age of 48. Since his recovery, you could surely see his smiling face and recognizable wave anywhere and everywhere around town. He walked 8-12 miles a day, put hundreds of miles on his shoes, and had countless conversations with friends or anyone along his route.  
 
Some of his favorite things to do in his early days was to go hunting and fishing with his family, he loved going to hunting camp with the boys. For many years he participated in snowmobile racing at Range Snowmobile Club and in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Recently, along with his daily walks, he loved skating during the lunch hour at the Dee Stadium.  He enjoyed his visits to the Soumi Restaurant for a cup of coffee and to tease the waitresses. Friday night fish fry’s and visits to The Drift Inn and Partanen’s were some of his favorite ways to visit with his many friends. 

Robert is survived by his four daughters: Sandra (Steve) Whitten of Santa Fe, NM, Heidi (Mike) Wagoner of Peoria, AZ, Jodi Simmons of Homer, AK, and Shannon (Steve) Vairo of Houghton. Seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents,  son, Robert Joseph Hannon, grandson, Anthony John Vairo, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
 
A Prayer Service for Robert will be Friday, December 2, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the Memorial Chapel in Hancock, MI. with Fr. John Martignon to officiate.  Military Honors will be conducted by the Copper Country Veterans Association.  Burial will be held later this spring in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.

Friends may call on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 11:00 am until times of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock

Chicky’s family would like to thank all who have taken the time to either stop and visit or gave him a helping hand over the years.
 
In Lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, please consider a monetary gift to your local Volunteer Fire Department or Salvation Army.