Richard Louis Robitaille, 61, of 6395 Danforth M.15 Blvd, Escanaba, MI. Richard was born November 14, 1949 in Escanaba and he passed away on August 8, 2011 at St. Francis Hospital due to many complications with diabetes and heart disease.
Dick graduated from Holy Name High School in 1967. On September 6, 1974 he married the former Lynn Petaja at Immanuel Lutheran Church where he later became a member.
Dick worked for the Upper Peninsula Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 506 for many years, covering many states until he had to take an early retirement due to health issues. He has always enjoyed fishing. In his younger years he enjoyed bowling and camping.
Dick was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army. He served with the 44th Transit Company during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Dick was an active member in several veteran organizations. He served as Post Commander for the VFW Post 2998 and was District 14 Commander of the VFW. He was a Past Commander of Escanaba American Legion Post 82, Past Adjutant of the 11th District American Legion; and presently was Adjutant of Gladstone American Post 71. He was also a member and a correspondent of the 40 et 8 and a member of the Delta County Veteran
Anonymous
Dear Lynn,So soory about your loss. Please know that I am keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!
Your cousin,
Rosalee Ann Bennett
Chester MD
Dear Lynn,
Just wanted you to know that I’m sorry to hear of your loss and keeping you in my prayers. God’s peace to you and your family.
Your cousin, Ann Petaja Chappel
Traverse City MI
Whenever I came up to visit, Dick always opened up his home to me and made me feel very welcome. He was always was there with a helping hand for anyone who needed it. I am so sorry for all that he, Lynn and Heather have been through the last few months and am glad he is finally at peace ? no more pain and suffering. My heart goes out to you, my very special cousin Lynn, and daughter Heather who he had a special bond with. You gave him exceptional care till the end. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Condolences to all Dick?s family members.
Kathleen “Smitty” Kelly
Boca Raton, FL
Lynn and Family, Sending you and your family our sincere sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. So sorry we could not attend the services for Rich. God Bless. PSP
Theodore Ivey and Karen
Iron River MI
Lynn and family I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will always have DIck in yor hearts. I send my thoughts an prayers to you.
Lynn, used to work with you at Bell, in case you don’t recognize the name. Take care.
jane lacrosse miller beverly
grand rapids mi
Our deepest sympathies to Dick’s family through this difficult time.
Young’s Formalwear
Escanaba MI
I spent many years involved with Richard at the Escanaba Elks Lodge doing countless programs and activities. He was a very dedicated person and would always be there to donate his time and talents. I know he was also deeply involved in many other organizations too. He will be greatly missed. Richard was very kind, very talented, very giving of himself and most of all fun to be with. Through all the difficulties that he faced and through the good times, he always had a good story to share. I am proud to have been able to call him my friend. My deepest sympathies go out to Lynn and the family.
Mark Coyne
Escanaba MI
Dick was a member of our early morning coffee group, at the McDonald’s in Walmart. I am the Store Manager there, Sarah Aviles. Dick always walked up to the counter saying, Heya Kiddo to me, and I will be miss him. Hugs and thoughts for the family at this time.
Sarah Aviles
Gladstone MI
When my mother (Diane) became active in the Escanaba Elks, I was able to meet several wonderful people. Dick was one of my favorites. He was a great person, and every moment talking with him was a pleasure.
He will be dearly missed.
Mike Erickson
Warren MI
Granda Dick was always a caring person. He could always make you smile, even when things weren’t going well.
I wish I could have been able to spend more time with him, but living so far away made that hard.
I remember all the good times staying over at his house with him, Grandma Lynn, and Aunt Heather when me and my sister were little. Memories I will never forget.
I love you and you will be miss greatly Grandpa!
Jessica Robitaille
Cornelius NC
Richard was a faithful and dedicated Elk and will be missed by so many. He always had a kind word for me and was so helpful. I will miss him.
Lucy Dewitt
Marquette MI
What a great Elk & friend to all. Will miss him & all he did for so many. God Bless his family & cherish the good memories.
Paul Fredrickson
Albuquerque NM
My Deepest Sympathy Lynn,Duane,Jeff & Heather,I will miss seeing him & chatting with him.So happy he stayed at the Family reunion & enjoyed himself.
Marie Chenier
Escanaba MI
Lynn, Duane, Jeff, and Heather,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Heather you dad was an amazing man and a good basketball coach. Sending y’all my best through this difficult time.
Amanda, Jeff, Jillian and Vincent Marks
Amanda (St. Vincent) Marks
Savannah GA
My memories of Dick go back to when my mom and dad…Mike and Pauline McMartin…would have Dick and his brother, Dan, over to our home. Dick was always a class act willing to do anything to help his Uncle Mike or Aunt Pauline out. Many years after Mom and Dad retired Dick spent some time with them in Minong, WI while working a job nearby…Mom and Dad so enjoyed his company and what kind of man he was. I deeply respect his integrity and pride…he loved his family and cared for others. We are very sad for his immediate family for their tremendous loss, but know my Dad is in heaven with him right now and they both have big smiles on their faces. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dick, Lynn and family.
Mike and Bonnie McMartin
Osceola WI
Anonymous
Dear Lynn,So soory about your loss. Please know that I am keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!
Your cousin,
Rosalee Ann Bennett
Chester MD
Dear Lynn,
Just wanted you to know that I’m sorry to hear of your loss and keeping you in my prayers. God’s peace to you and your family.
Your cousin, Ann Petaja Chappel
Traverse City MI
Whenever I came up to visit, Dick always opened up his home to me and made me feel very welcome. He was always was there with a helping hand for anyone who needed it. I am so sorry for all that he, Lynn and Heather have been through the last few months and am glad he is finally at peace ? no more pain and suffering. My heart goes out to you, my very special cousin Lynn, and daughter Heather who he had a special bond with. You gave him exceptional care till the end. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Condolences to all Dick?s family members.
Kathleen “Smitty” Kelly
Boca Raton, FL
Lynn and Family, Sending you and your family our sincere sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. So sorry we could not attend the services for Rich. God Bless. PSP
Theodore Ivey and Karen
Iron River MI
Lynn and family I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will always have DIck in yor hearts. I send my thoughts an prayers to you.
Lynn, use to work with you at Bell, in case you don’t recognize the name. Take care.
jane lacrosse miller beverly
grand rapids mi
Our deepest sympathies to Dick’s family through this difficult time.
Young’s Formalwear
Escanaba MI
I spent many years involved with Richard at the Escanaba Elks Lodge doing countless programs and activities. He was a very dedicated person and would always be there to donate his time and talents. I know he was also deeply involved in many other organizations too. He will be greatly missed. Richard was very kind, very talented, very giving of himself and most of all fun to be with. Through all the difficulties that he faced and through the good times, he always had a good story to share. I am proud to have been able to call him my friend. My deepest sympathies go out to Lynn and the family.
Mark Coyne
Escanaba MI
Dick was a member of our early morning coffee group, at the McDonald’s in Walmart. I am the Store Manager there, Sarah Aviles. Dick always walked up to the counter saying, Heya Kiddo to me, and I will be miss him. Hugs and thoughts for the family at this time.
Sarah Aviles
Gladstone MI
When my mother (Diane) became active in the Escanaba Elks, I was able to meet several wonderful people. Dick was one of my favorites. He was a great person, and every moment talking with him was a pleasure.
He will be dearly missed.
Mike Erickson
Warren MI
Granda Dick was always a caring person. He could always make you smile, even when things weren’t going well.
I wish I could have been able to spend more time with him, but living so far away made that hard.
I remember all the good times staying over at his house with him, Grandma Lynn, and Aunt Heather when me and my sister were little. Memories I will never forget.
I love you and you will be miss greatly Grandpa!
Jessica Robitaille
Cornelius NC
Richard was a faithful and dedicated Elk and will be missed by so many. He always had a kind word for me and was so helpful. I will miss him.
Lucy Dewitt
Marquette MI
What a great Elk & friend to all. Will miss him & all he did for so many. God Bless his family & cherish the good memories.
Paul Fredrickson
Albuquerque NM
My Deepest Sympathy Lynn,Duane,Jeff & Heather,I will miss seeing him & chatting with him.So happy he stayed at the Family reunion & enjoyed himself.
Marie Chenier
Escanaba MI
Lynn, Duane, Jeff, and Heather,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Heather you dad was an amazing man and a good basketball coach. Sending y’all my best through this difficult time.
Amanda, Jeff, Jillian and Vincent Marks
Amanda (St. Vincent) Marks
Savannah GA
My memories of Dick go back to when my mom and dad…Mike and Pauline McMartin…would have Dick and his brother, Dan, over to our home. Dick was always a class act willing to do anything to help his Uncle Mike or Aunt Pauline out. Many years after Mom and Dad retired Dick spent some time with them in Minong, WI while working a job nearby…Mom and Dad so enjoyed his company and what kind of man he was. I deeply respect his integrity and pride…he loved his family and cared for others. We are very sad for his immediate family for their tremendous loss, but know my Dad is in heaven with him right now and they both have big smiles on their faces. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dick, Lynn and family.
Mike and Bonnie McMartin
Osceola WI