Robert H. Vick

Bob was born on December 13, 1937, in Kingsford, Michigan, to the late William T. and Lillian (Gribben) Vick. He was a 1956 graduate of Kingsford High School.

A Vietnam veteran and Senior Master Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force for 23 years, Bob retired on May 31, 1982. He spent 19 of those years with the Air Force as a ground radio communications superintendent. This career took him to various places such as Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Calumet, New Jersey, Montana, and finally K.I. Sawyer. Following his retirement, Bob continued at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base as a Base Supply Trainer and then worked in the caretaker’s office during the closure of the base.

He received several awards because of his service including the National Defense Service Award, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Bob was an active volunteer as the President/CEO of the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum; and in November of 2019, he was bestowed with a Historic Preservation Appreciation Award at a veterans military ball. One of his many accomplishments was the ability to remember Morse Code, which he learned early on in his career and could still spell words in his early eighties. An absolute favorite hobby was watching M*A*S*H every evening and to use their famous closing: Goodbye. Farewell. Amen.

Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus where he actively served in its honor guard.

He loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. During those visits you could always hear him talking to them about school and how important it is to get a good education. He was very proud of each and every one of them.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Kaye (Voegtline) Vick; children, Kim Vick of Iron Mountain and Bob (Sherri) Vick of Lawton, MI; two bonus children, Chuck (Laurie) March of Valrico, Florida and Jeff March (fiance, Susan Malone) of Horton, Alabama; six grandchildren, Jennifer Richmond, Ashley, Gabby and Haley Vick, Lindsie and Brianna March; three great- grandchildren, Kai, Laina and Xavier; one sister, Alice Dobberpuhl of Marquette as well as several nieces and a nephew.

Preceding him in death besides his parents was a brother, Richard “Dick” Vick.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 17 at 11 a.m., in St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. Michael Steber officiating. The Mass will be livestreamed at: https://my.gather.app/ remember/robert-vick. The Vick family will greet relatives and friends in the Bishop’s Room of the cathedral on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Members of Bishop Baraga the Snowshoe Priest Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will serve as casket bearers and honor guard. Private burial will take place in the Quinnesec Cemetery in Breitung Township.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum, 402 Third St., Gwinn, MI 49841; St. Peter Cathedral, 311 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855; or the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 S. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mr. Vick’s memory.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services where memories of Bob may be shared at canalefuneral.com.