Robert H. Erickson, Sr.

Some men are driven by ambition, by money, or by their own personal pursuits and pastimes. Bob Erickson was a man who always knew what was most important in life: his beloved family. He was a man of great integrity, charity and humility, the consummate family man, and fellow man. He was a devoted husband, loving father and loyal friend, yet most of all, Bob Erickson was an example to all who knew him. Bob's story began on a cool November day in 1920, in the beautiful beachfront town of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were exciting times in this country, with so much to celebrate. On November 11, 1920, the young couple of Robert Henry and Barbara (Engle) Erickson had their own reasons to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Robert after his father. Bob was soon joined by his brother Arthur and sisters June and Frances in the family home. Sadly a third sister, Beatrice, died as a very young child. The family lived in the Lakeside section of Muskegon and their father worked for the paper mill there, while mother was charged with caring for the kids and the home. Bob attended Bunker School and led a typically mischievous boyhood, full of playing with friends and raiding the local watermelon patches. He also learned to be responsible and helpful during those dark days of the Great Depression. Often his mom would bake many loaves of bread, and Bob would load it into the wagon and go sell it for her. Bob even learned to drive a car when he was just 11, after his mother fibbed and said he was old enough. License in hand, Bob was then able to help his family earn extra income, at a time when so many desperately needed it. He learned much during the Depression, but most of all, he learned the importance of helping others. Bob found more than life lessons during those days, though; he also found a lifelong love. There was a pretty young girl named Dorothy Poe who lived on the same block as Bob, and as they grew older they became quite sweet on each other. They'd each volunteer to take their younger siblings to the park, so they could sneak away and spend time together. Their siblings would have fun spying on them while they were kissing! That "puppy love," soon grew into a real love, and the young couple was married on September 21, 1937. Dorothy was just 17 years old, and Bob was only 16! It wasn't long before the young couple became a young family, too. Their first child, Robert Jr., was born in 1938, with five daughters soon to follow. Their daughter Gloria Dawn was born in the middle of an ice storm in 1940, delivered by Bob's mother Barbara, who had to fill in before the doctor could make it to the house in that winter weather! Sandy joined the family in 1941, June in 1942, Dorothy in '45 and Linda rounded out the happy family in 1946. Bob was a wonderful father and husband, who always put his family first in everything he did. When Bob Jr. was born, he went to the store and realized he had enough money to buy either cigarettes or baby food. He never smoked again. Bob took whatever jobs he could find to provide for his family, even moving the family to Ohio near some of his relatives for awhile. Eventually they returned to Muskegon, though, and Bob found a job at the Singer Sewing Machine Company, as a salesman and repairman. He was an excellent salesman, born with a natural charisma and a gift for gab. Bob eventually became owner and operator of his own business, E & H Sewing Center, for a number of years. The family lived in several different places in Muskegon, eventually settling into a home on Austin Street. Bob always made sure his family was well provided for, always the number one priority in his life. He was a stern father, who believed in raising his children the right way, yet they never doubted his unconditional love for them. He was there at every event in their lives, even Bob Jr.'s college wrestling matches. As his children became fine adults in their own rights, Bob was there for all their big events. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries ... he never missed an important event in their lives, and eventually his grandchildren's lives, too. He and Dorothy took many vacations with their adult children and their grandchildren, visit relatives in Ohio, Yellowstone National Park, Las Vegas, The Black Hills, and many more. Bob loved to fish on the trips, a hobby his father had taught him, and he was very proud of the huge barrel fish he once caught in Texas. He and his beloved Dorothy also traveled often together, and every fall they would take a drive up north to see the colors in the trees. They also enjoyed simpler times together, and Bob and Dorothy would drive around the ovals at Lake Michigan, to watch the sunsets or see the ice formations in the winter. Even after all those years, they still enjoyed "sneaking off" to the park together! Bob was also a man of great faith, and he and his family regularly attended St. Mary's Catholic Church for many, many years. Eventually he and Dorothy switched to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (partly because there were fewer stairs to climb), yet he remained active in the church there, as well. Bob became very involved with the Food Pantry at his church, volunteering countless hours to the cause there over the years. He was even awarded the Bishop Haas Award for Volunteers for his dedicated service. The Muskegon Chronicle also wrote an article about the Food Pantry and Bob's incredible generosity of his time, as well. That's simply the way Bob was, though, and the way he was raised, to always help others when he could. Later in life, when he was living on just his social security checks, Bob would still donate money to worthy causes. He was always there to help someone in need, always willing to put the needs of others before his own, offering his time, his money, or his support. He was famous for saying that "God never closes a door without opening a window," and that "God never gives you a cross you can't bear." Sadly, Bob died Saturday, September 9, 2006. He was a remarkable man, a man of such great integrity, humility, and charity. He was blessed with much in his lifetime, blessed with a wonderful family and countless friends. We were so blessed to have known him. He will be greatly missed. Mr. Robert H. Erickson, Sr. age 85, died Saturday, September 9, 2006. He was born in Muskegon, MI on November 11, 1920. SURVIVORS: 1 son, Robert (Jackie) Erickson, Jr. of Muskegon; 5 daughters, Gloria (Larry) Miller of Muskegon, Sandra (Edward) Stuemke of Ravenna, June Visser of North Muskegon, Dorothy Erickson of Muskegon, Linda (Walter) Slowik of Holton; 1 sister, June Groves of FL; 1 brother, Art (Dee) Erickson of Ohio; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Erickson was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in 2001. SERVICE: Wednesday, September 13, 2006, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Olson officiating. Interment at Holton Cemetery. VISITATION: Tuesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home with a Rosary ay 7:30 PM. MEMORIAL: Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.