Robert ‘Sawbones’ Maki

Born September 22, 1935 in Gwinn, MI to Victor and Siri Maki. Robert was raised in Negaunee, MI and graduated in 1953 from Negaunee High School, served in Korea with the army before attending Northern Michigan University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He married the love of his life, Harriet Swanson in 1959. They moved to Lansing, MI where Robert started a career teaching vocational education at Waverly High School. He earned a master’s degree in vocational education from Michigan State University and was busy outside the classroom building a family with Harriet that produced four boys.

In 1968 the Maki’s departed to Green Bay, WI where Robert continued his teaching career at Green Bay East High School. An opportunity to teach at Westwood High School in Ishpeming was offered to Robert in 1974 and it was also an opportunity to get back to the Upper Peninsula for Harriet and him to raise their boys. Robert was awarded the VICA advisor of the year for the state of Michigan in 1982. He pioneered a program while at Westwood that put students on home building sites, building homes from the ground up and then selling the completed homes back to the community.

Summers off from teaching were summers on for Sawbones to hone his building (and golf) skills. He built several houses over the years when school was out. Upon retiring from teaching in 1989, Sawbones continued his passion to build, taking on several more house building and remodeling projects. His gift for carpentry and construction bore many satisfied customers.

When Sawbones wasn’t teaching, building and raising the family, you could find him golfing, slinging horseshoes, playing basketball … just to name a few. He was one of the last ambidextrous hook shot artists to grace the hardwoods of Negaunee city league basketball and he would not lace up anything other than a pair of Converse canvas high tops. If he wasn’t playing sports, he was attending sporting events of his son’s and of his grandchildren. He had a passion for sports and competition even when he was unable to participate in his latter years. Sports kept him young at heart and that zest for them has carried on throughout the family.

Robert is survived by his four sons, Chris (Laura) Maki of Holly, and their children, Grant and Candice; Brett (Gina) Maki, of Cary, IL, and their children Trevor, Sarah and Corey; Todd (Lisa) Maki of Gladstone, and their children, Bryant, Morgan and Keira; and Robb (Jeanniene) Maki of Corinth, TX; sister-in-law Joyce Swanson of Kentwood; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 63 years Harriet (Swanson) Maki, her parents, brothers – Walfred, Arnold, Ray, and Paul Maki; and sisters ­Dorothy Gula, Ruth Ellis and Silvia Tobert.

Robert took great pride in designing and building the current Altar at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where he was a lifelong member. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00AM ­ 12:00PM on Monday, October 20, 2025 at the Bethany Lutheran Church, where Funeral services will follow at 12:00PM with Rev. J.M. Mills to officiate. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by the Upper Peninsula Army Funeral Honors Team. Pallbearers will be his four sons along with grandsons Corey and Bryant.

Memorials may be directed to the Bethany Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 715 Mather Ave., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Robert’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.