Fred Alan Robare

Born December 30, 1941, in Marquette, a son of Fred and Lillian (Johnson) Robare, Fred was raised in Marquette. He attended Graveraet High School and served as student manager for the football, basketball, and track teams during his sophomore and junior years. He graduated from Graveraet in 1959 and, in 1960, entered the US Navy, serving during Vietnam. On October 22, 1966, Fred was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Spitz at Zion Lutheran Church in Marquette. Following his honorable discharge, Fred returned to Marquette where he was employed with Lakeshore, Inc. for a brief time, before beginning a 18 year career with the State of Michigan at the Marquette Branch Prison. He began as a Corrections Officer and when he retired in 1988 held the rank of Captain. While employed at the prison, Fred took evening classes at Northern Michigan University and received his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Work. Following his retirement from the prison, Fred was employed with Marquette General Hospital in 1992 as a therapeutic assistant, then as a social worker, and finally as a substance abuse counselor. He retired from the hospital setting in 2005. In his younger days, Fred was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and taking in all that nature had to offer. Following retirement, he found great pleasure in just enjoying retirement with his family and special friends of Bill W., with occasional hunting and taking long, leisurely car rides in the woods. Fred had a special closeness with his son, Fred, the pair being known as “Frick and Frack”, who took daily trips to Wal-Mart. Fred was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 380, and AMVETS Post #122..

Fred is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; his children, Paige (William) Chaudier of Negaunee, Shannon (Robert) Reaves-Anderson of Gwinn, and Carl Robare of Big Bay; his grandchildren, Kaylee and Logan Chaudier, Jacob, Benjamin, and Noah Reaves; a great-grandson, Landon Reaves; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by a son, Fred L. Robare in 2018; a grandson, Brandon Reaves; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Jack Baum; and brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Mary Ann Robare.

Friends may call at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Tuesday, May 14, beginning at 11:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Rev. Chad Ott will officiate. A reception will follow in the reception room located at the funeral home. Interment, with veterans honors, will be made in the Park Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com