As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Robert (Bob) J. Rinne of Mohawk, Michigan passed away at home on July 6, 2026. Bob was born on August 2, 1948 in Laurium, Michigan to Eino & Rose (Sopsich) Rinne. He grew up in Copper City and graduated from Calumet High School in 1966. He attended Michigan Technological University and earned a BS in Business Administration in December of 1970.
Bob married Sharon (Cookie) Gariepy on May 16,1970 and they moved to Ontonagon, MI. Growing up, he worked with the family business, Rinne’s Fuel Oil and also at Fort Wilkins State Park. After college, Bob held several mine management positions, starting at Copper Range Company in White Pine, Michigan from 1971 to 1997. After the mine closed, Bob’s career took him to Winnemucca, NV; Muskogee, OK; Sussex, WI and Elburn, IL. Upon his retirement, Bob moved back to his favorite place, the Keweenaw Peninsula, and built his retirement home.
Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, cross country skiing and camping. He loved teaching his daughters and grandchildren about all things outdoors. He showed them every “short-cut” (aka “long-cuts”) while hiking and telling them tall tales about his encounters with bears and the like. Bob had a dry sense of humor, and he didn’t smile often, but he would beam with pride when witnessing his grandkids’ successes. One of his favorite places was the camp on the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River where he could be found every deer season opener with family. He successfully instilled his passion for fishing and hunting in his grandson, Colton.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents Eino and Rose Rinne, his brother Donald Rinne and an infant daughter, Libby. He is survived by his daughters Cheri Wickman and Lissa Stafford. His grandchildren Paige & Lainey Wickman, Colton & Annika Stafford. Bob is also survived by brothers Tom (Andrea) Rinne, Ray (Carol) Rinne and his sister Kathleen (Dave) Caspary.
A private service will be held on July 31 st , followed by a casual reception open to all at Gabriel Chop Park in Ahmeek, MI at 1 p.m. The family requests you bring a chair and a good story to share about Bob.
He was a dedicated member of the Calumet Keweenaw Sportsman’s Club and spent many hours organizing the annual raffles for them. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memoriam of Bob to the Calumet Keweenaw Sportsmen’s Club, either through their website, Keweenawsportsmen.org or via mail, P.O. Box 283 Calumet, MI 49913.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
Comments