Cover photo for Robert E. "Bob" Erickson's Obituary
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1927 Robert 2017

Robert E. "Bob" Erickson

November 30, 1927 — May 28, 2017

Funeral services for Robert E. 'Bob' Erickson, 89, of Chariton will be Friday, June 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will be at the Chariton Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Chariton Public Library or to the Lucas County Fair Association. Robert Earl Erickson was born November 30, 1927 on the family farm near Chariton, Iowa to Harmon "Earl" and Letitia "Joy" Baily Erickson. He was the second of five children. He was raised in Chariton and after high school he went to Tulsa, Oklahoma to train to be an aviation mechanic. In 1951 he met Carolyn Bissell in Tulsa. They both got jobs on September 20, 1951, Carolyn at the Hotel Tulsa, and Bob as a line mechanic for American Airlines. Now that they were both employed Bob asked her to marry him and on October 9, 1951 they were married. This union was blessed with five children: Robert T., Robin, Rebecca, Amy, and Susan. Bob's career with American Airlines spanned over 51 1/2 years. Starting as a mechanic then flying the DC 6, DC 7, Convair 990, Electra Turboprop, Boeing 707, DC 10, and the Boeing 747. Finally becoming American Airlines #1 flight engineer by seniority. He enjoyed his work, the traveling and the planes. He also loved being at home in Lucas County on the farm. Apparently he enjoyed construction and the engineering involved, as he built two homes for his family. As a family they enjoyed camping and traveling all over the United States. First they camped in a tent, and then progressed through travel trailers and motor homes, always stopping at scenic overlooks or shouting back to the kids to look out the window. He was never without a tool for the job and liked to fix and tinker with anything. He loved to have his grandchildren out to the farm to help with thistle cutting, rock and stick picking, and other chores that he found to be enjoying. The kids thought they were babysitting him and he thought he was babysitting them. He also enjoyed playing dominos and checkers. Mostly he just loved to be with his family and treasured the moments they were able to spend together. Bob passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017. Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Erickson; children: Robert T. (Debbie) Erickson, Robin (Mark) Wilk, Rebecca (Peter) Bisping, Amy (Pat) Evans, and Susan (Juan) Zavala; 14 grandchildren: Jason, William, Melissa, Stephanie, Kimberly, Amanda, Matt, Alex, James, Ethan, Blake, Logan, Levi, and Christian; 9 great grandchildren; sisters: Martha Blaylock and Marie Bolibaugh; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Joy Erickson; a grandson, Scott Erickson; and siblings: Dale Erickson and Darlene Baughman. Cemetery Details Chariton Cemetery HWY 14 and HWY 34
Chariton, IA 50049

Visitation

JUN 1. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton

914 Roland Ave

Chariton, IA 50049

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

Service

JUN 2. 2:00 PM (CDT)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton

914 Roland Ave

Chariton, IA 50049

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

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