Robert E. Oelrich

Robert Ernest Oelrich, aged 98, of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota went home surrounded by love the morning of May 5, 2025.

Born in his grandmother’s home in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he grew up working on his parents’ farm in Guthrie, Minnesota. He often loved to tell about farm life, including learning to milk cows at the age of 6. Always a hard worker, as a teenager he worked as a lumberjack in the great north woods.

Bob enlisted in the US Navy at age 17, and served proudly as a Sea Bee on Okinawa in WWII. He and his beloved wife, Marlene, were among the first “mudders” in Hoyt Lakes. He was an initial employee of Erie Mining Company where he was known for his fairness and integrity; he rose to the ranks of general foreman of mining.

Bob earned his private pilot’s license and spent some years enjoying the freedom of flight. Bob was an avid reader, and enjoyed listening to classical and country music. He loved nature and was known for his long walks in the woods, visiting with those he met on the trail, well into his 90’s. He had a sharp wit and insisted that he owed his long life to his sense of humor. To know Bob was to love him, and to be loved by him. His kindness stood out to those he met on his retirement travels and adventures with Marlene and he leaves behind friends made far and wide.

He is survived by his three daughters: Debra Moore (Denny), Janell Oelrich, and Lori Everett. His daughters gave him 8 grandchildren, and his grandchildren gave him 14 great grandchildren to enjoy.

Bob loved to tell everyone he met about his guidelines for living: keep a good attitude, have a good sense of humor, keep moving, and stay curious. He will live on through those who saw the wisdom in his life advice and keep living according to his example. The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Carefree Living of Aurora for their devotion and care.

A Celebration of Life will be held 9am-11am Saturday May 17, 2025 at the Hoyt Lakes Senior Center.  Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will take place at at 11am in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery.