Robert Collick

Robert Orville Collick died after a brief and unexpected illness on Saturday, July 24th at the Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wisconsin not far from his beloved summer cottage at Lake Gogebic. Eileen, his cherished wife, was at his side throughout his final days as she has been for 61 years of their marriage. His children, Bruce, Carolyn and Paul, were also present and Bob was able to be with his family until his last moments. Bob was aware that his terminal illness underscored the very core of his beliefs and his most important message to all he loved – that living with clarity and purpose must be a continuous commitment renewed each day of our lives. When asked what truths he would choose to share during his last days he said “Try to live well in the midst of all uncertainties and strive to see as clearly as we can. Know that the light shines even in the darkness and see that the darkness has not overcome it. That truth is best discovered by way of touch, of conversation and by adoration.” And because Bob held humor to be a core source of vitality, he glanced at Eileen as he lay in his bed and said “Let’s go out to the lake” and then he chuckled. Bob was born on April 20, 1924 in Ironwood, MI, to Orville and Pearl Collick. His early years were filled with deep family experiences on both sides of his families. He lived one house from his aunt Ruthie, Orville’s sister, and Uncle Alphie Thomas and moved easily between the both houses. He would return to Lake Gogebic for every summer of his life but one when he was in the service. While in the service from 1943 to 1945, he would spend time with the Chaplain and this played an essential role in his calling to the ministry. After he left the service he was introduced to Eileen Walto by his best friend Bob Pollari. No question for either, husband and wife, married July 16, 1949. During the years before they married Eileen finished her nurses training in 1948. Bob graduated from Gustaves Adulphus College and was ordained at Augustana Lutheran College 1953. His ministry took them and their growing family from Phoenix Arizona, to Salt Lake City Utah, to Skokie Illinois, to Wayne New Jersey, to Corona Del Mar California, to LaQuinta California. He retired at 86 after 57 years in the Ministry from Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert California. As you could imagine, he and Eileen established and maintained life long friendships from each stop. Each stop evolved and deepened his understanding of ministerial service in a changing world. His ministry continued to grow in richness as he channeled the joy of spirituality through not only traditional pastoral activities but through gatherings focused on classical music and literature. He often challenged his groups to consider ideas and experiences that would challenge their boundaries. Bob continued to challenge himself to learn & understand more of his relationship with his faith and even during his last months had clear learning goals, new points of view, and vigorous plans for continuing to explore all that was connected to his faith. Bob and Eileen are the joyful parents of Bruce, Carolyn, Paul and the grandparents to Chase, Morgan, Makenna and Samantha and step-grandparents to Elliott and Amanda Veith and great-grandparents to Ted. Bob wished for his ashes to be interred at the family plot in Ironwood Michigan. A memorial celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Palm Desert, California at a future date. Eileen, her children, their spouses and the grandchildren extend their gratitude to those who have surrounded us during this time. We hope that Bob’s belief in the joy of daily life and his continual search for the possibilities of what answers exist as a result of striving to strengthen your faith could be a gift to us all. No doubt, Bob’s kind and loving spirit will prevail in all our lives and all the lives he touched throughout his 86 years. As W.S Merwin so beautifully put it… “Your absence goes through us like thread through a needle …everything we do is stitched with your color.”

Robert Collick

April 20, 1924 - July 24, 2010