Robert Koski

He was born on October 4th, 1936, in Negaunee, MI, the son of Emil and Elsie (Rajala) Koski. Bob was raised as a lifelong resident of Rock and was a 1954 graduate of Rock High School. He took great pride in serving his country, his community, and helping those around him. Bob enlisted into the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on September 23rd, 1957. Bob married the former Marlene Lehto on June 21, 1958 at Faith Lutheran Church in Rock. Together, the couple shared 64 wonderful years full of memories that will last a lifetime.

Bob spent his life establishing and developing many successful businesses. He was Co-Founder of K&K Manufacturing of Rock, MI where they designed and built underground mining trucks that were marketed and shipped around the world. He started and continued to operate RR Koski Excavating and Forest Products, he established hydraulic cylinder manufacturer Ramrod UP, he was President of heavy equipment parts manufacturer K2 Engineering, and he was President and Senior Partner of forestry equipment manufacturer K2 Manufacturing.

Bob continued his lifelong commitment to his community where he served on various boards including Church Council President and lifelong member of Faith Lutheran Church in Rock, Past King Lion and current member of the Rock Lions Club, past Post Commander and current member of Rock American Legion Post 559, past Maple Ridge Township Supervisor, past Fire Chief of the Rock Volunteer Fire Department, and Rock Community Federal Credit Board Member.

Bob took pride in the equipment he built and the people who worked with him. His knowledge of the history of Rock and surrounding communities was unmatched. His Finnish heritage was very important to him and still spoke Finn whenever he could. Bob never strayed away from a difficult job and especially enjoyed working and logging in the woods.

He loved living in the Upper Peninsula and everything the outdoors had to offer- hunting and fishing were his pastimes. Many great stories came from his fishing trips to Standard Rock with Lyle Kirby. Hunting season each year was considered a holiday that could not be missed. The guys from Camp OK were absolute family to him and his hunting partner, Arnie Sirtola, was always nearby. Bob greatly enjoyed the various “Nort’ Rock” camps that would stop by to have a “whooli-bump” (or two), sharing the many traditions such as camp visits, the “11 or Better” Buck Pool, the “Camp Opener” and many-many more each year. Bob so looked forward to going to his camp any time he could and would find reasons why he needed to be there. If Bob wasn’t home, he was at camp, and if he wasn’t at camp, he was at his shop.

Bob was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight on Mission XIV in 2018 with his dear friends, Raymond “Jussi” Seppanen, Mike Durkee, and Jim Barnes. This was a tour of honor where they were able to visit Washington D.C. to visit the memorials that were built in their honor.

Bob was a mechanical genius who took pride in the fact he could design, build, or fix absolutely anything (except a computer). Due to his commonsense approach to everything and experience in the manufacturing industry, Bob would receive phone calls from companies from around the world looking for advice or wanting him to design another machine.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Marlene Koski of Rock; daughter, Emily Bark of Rock; sons, Rob (April) Koski of Belgium, WI, and Jed (Debra) Koski of Gladstone; grandsons, Jordan (Ashleyy) Bark, Cody (Amanda) Bark, and Cooper Koski; granddaughters, Mercedes and Londyn Koski; sister, Nancy Jokela of Rock; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, David Koski.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28th, 2022, at Faith Lutheran Church in Rock. Funeral services celebrating the life of Bob will follow at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, with Rev. Stephen Gauger officiating. Military Honors will be conducted at the conclusion of the services by the Rock American Legion Post 559 assisted by the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials please be directed to Faith Lutheran Church in Rock. Burial will take place in the Rock Cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Koski family and online remembrances can be shared at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.