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Robert Stanley Erickson, 79

Robert Stanley Erickson passed away Dec. 7, 2016, in Yuma, Ariz., with Lila at his side. He was born in Edmore, N.D., in 1937, to Stanley and Mildred Erickson. He was the youngest of three children.

When he was 3, his father moved the family to Albion, Wash., and then to Pullman, Wash., where Bob grew up and graduated from high school in 1955. He attended Eastern Washington University until he enlisted in the Army in 1956. He spent time in Korea, and was discharged in 1958.

After returning home, he spent some time in Seattle, Pullman and Spokane, before moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1972. He was self-employed as Erickson Electric until his retirement in 2000. In 1996 he met Lila, and in 2003 they were married. When Lila retired in 2007, they sold their home in Coeur d’Alene and moved to Prichard, Idaho, where they have resided since. In 2013, they spent their first winter in Yuma, Ariz., and enjoyed the sunny winters there until his death. Bob was a 10-time participant in the Sturgis motorcycle rally, an avid skier, a certified scuba diver and had his private pilot’s license. He also enjoyed many hours on Lake Coeur d’Alene with friends in his cabin cruiser.

He was a member of Rathdrum Masonic Lodge No. 41 AF&AM, the Calam Shriners where he was a proud member of the Octocycleers, Coeur d’Alene Shrine Club and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a charter member of the Hayden Lake Eagles, a member of the Coeur d’Alene Elks No. 1254 and the Moose Lodge of Yuma. He was also a member of the Military Order of Cootie (VFW) in Coeur d’Alene.

He is survived by his wife, Lila; brother Ron; Lila’s sisters and their families; and numerous Erickson cousins, nieces and nephews. Missing him greatly also are the family pups, Rachel and Rufus. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley and son Michael.

There will be a celebration of his life at noon Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the Prichard/Murray Fire Hall, 21109 Coeur d’Alene River Road, Prichard.

Donations can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204; or the Prichard/Murray Volunteer Fire Department, 21109 Coeur d’Alene River Road, Wallace, ID 83873.