Robert S. Rickard

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Robert S. Rickard, 76, of Wakefield, formerly of Eagle River, Wis., and Stevens Point, Wis., passed away Monday, May 1, 2017, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility, surrounded by his family.

Bob was born Sept. 22, 1940, in Houghton, a son of Edwin George and Angeline Anna (Turk) Rickard.  He attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1959.

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961.

On July 28, 1962, he married Sharon Elizabeth Johnson.

Robert attended Gogebic Community College from 1963 to 1964, and went on to receive his bachelor's degree in education from Northern Michigan University in 1967. He earned his master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1975.

Robert worked 30 years as a principal with the majority of his years at Northland Pines High School in Eagle River until he retired in 1997. He spent nine years at Benjamin Franklin Junior High in Stevens Point as a teacher, assistant principal and high school hockey coach. Bob spent four years as principal in Wakefield from 1986 to 1990. After retirement from education, Robert worked for Vilas County as a juvenile intake officer until 2013.

Robert was very active in sports throughout his years. He played football in high school where he set various records. He played hockey for the Eagle River Northernaires and semi-pro for the Marquette Iron Rangers. Bob coached, refereed and broadcasted for many years. He was inducted into the Northland Pines Sports Hall of Fame for his overall athletic participation. Bob was also an avid fisherman and sportsman. He loved to go camping and spend time with his grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his wife, Sharon; a son, Jeffrey (Angela) Rickard, Christiana, Tenn .; three daughters, Jamy (Doug) Tikalsky, New Prague, Minn., Jennifer (Karl "Gus") Ahonen, Wakefield, and Jodi (Michael) Nesland, Sartell, Minn .; eight grandchildren, Danielle Tikalsky, Jeffrey Rickard, Allison Tikalsky, Derrian Rickard, Wesley Nesland, Abby Ahonen, Alex Ahonen and Zachary Nesland; two brothers, Walter (Donna) Rickard, Ramsay, and Edward (Paulette) Rickard, Ironwood; two sisters-in-law, Nadine Seeke, Marquette, and Betty Johnson, Bessemer; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Edward John Rickard.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, May 4, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam St., in Wakefield, with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m.

A funeral service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.

Following the service, military rites will take place at the church under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

A luncheon will follow at the church fellowship hall.

A committal service and interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, at a later date.

Pallbearers will be Bob's grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility for all their exceptional care, comfort and support.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield.  Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.