Robert D. Tachick

Bob was born April 22, 1948, in Oconto, Wis., and was the youngest son of Edward and Bertha (Ermis) Tachick. He graduated from Coleman High School in 1966. Upon graduation and briefly attending college, Bob entered the workforce and began a career in electrical construction which brought him to Iron Mountain.

In 1975, Bob became a groundman with M.J. Electric, a company he took pride in and where he remained until his retirement. Bob began operating equipment for M.J. Electric and for the next 40 years he held various leadership positions until he retired as a senior vice-president of the Utility Division.

On Aug. 18, 2007, he married Mary Moore in Iron Mountain. Together they shared many years blending their families and creating memories with their children, grandchildren and many friends. Bob cherished his family and will be remembered as one of his grandchildren’s biggest cheerleaders. In his later years, Bob built a lake home on White Potato Lake outside of Pound, Wis., his hometown, and you could find him taking his late-night pontoon tours with his captain’s hat on. In addition, he and Mary shared a love for travel and were able to go to Japan, France, Hawaii and on an Alaskan cruise, just to name a few.

Bob began his love for motorized vehicles early in life starting on his family farms with tractors. This progressed into a lifetime of what his family lovingly teased him about as his collection of toys. He enjoyed time on snowmobiles, ATV’s, UTV’s and boating on the lake. In his younger years, Bob enjoyed a semi-professional career as a Polaris snowmobile racer. During his life, his family and friends enjoyed every trail in the Midwest with Bob as their navigator because he never forgot a trail or road he had been on. As a result, his family lovingly would refer to him as “Mr. Rand McNally.” His gift was helpful when Bob began visiting the many Harley Davidson dealerships on his treasured Screaming Eagle Harley and adding to his extensive black and orange collection.

Bob was a member of the Golden K, the White Potato Lake Association, and the Quinnesec United Methodist Church. He used his talents in numerous ways with every organization. He was also a very active member of the KHS Booster Club. Through his career in electrical construction, Bob recognized a need for more electrical line crew in his industry. As a result, he was instrumental in starting and eventually serving on the Board of the Electrical Line Technician Program at Northern Michigan University.

Along with his wife, Mary, Bob is survived by his children, Dede (Scott) Johnson, Dirk (Chrissy) Tachick, Tim (Steph) Tachick and Deneen Tachick, Tom (Jessica) Moore, Sarah (Mike) Paternoster, David (Hiromi) Moore and Patrick (Sara) Moore; a sister, Margaret (Buddy) Gusick; 18 grandchildren, Lillian, Dane, Rosie, Brendon, Jack, Gavin, Kenzie, Halle, Cam, Kaiden, Sam, Zoe, James, Dalton, Evan, Sully, Alyssa and Markus; his former spouse, Dixie Luoma; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Tachick, Alvin Tachick and Harvey Tachick; two sisters-in-law, Edna Tachick and Dolores Tachick; and a very special friend, Darrell Finley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family, who will be establishing a memorial scholarship endowment for local area high school students attending the Electrical Line Technicians program at Northern Michigan University.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain, with a service to follow at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Walter Reichle will officiate.

Graveside services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Cemetery in Pound, with a lunch to follow at the Pound Community Center.

Condolences to the family of Robert “Bob” D. Tachick may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.